# Analects — Character guide

> Key figures in Analects by Confucius.

- [Confucius](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/analects_se/characters/confucius.md): A teacher who measures wisdom by conduct, not eloquence, demanding that rulers and disciples alike rectify themselves before daring to correct anyone else.
- [Tsze-kung](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/analects_se/characters/tsze-kung.md): The Master's most articulate disciple, quick to catch a point and complete its sequence, yet forever testing whether wealth, poverty, and virtue can be reconciled.
- [Yen Hûi](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/analects_se/characters/yen-hui.md): The disciple Confucius calls his only true lover of learning, who found joy in a bamboo dish of rice and a narrow lane.
- [Tsze-lû](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/analects_se/characters/tsze-lu.md): The bold, impulsive disciple whose courage and blunt questions force the Master to sharpen his answers on daring, poverty, and insubordination.
- [Tsze-hsiâ](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/analects_se/characters/tsze-hsia.md): A disciple who measures learning by sincerity in serving parents, prince, and friends, insisting that conduct, not reputation, proves a man educated.
- [Tsze-chang](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/analects_se/characters/tsze-chang.md): An ambitious disciple studying for official emolument, taught to hear much, doubt much, and speak cautiously so as to earn few occasions for blame.
- [Tsǎng Shǎn](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/analects_se/characters/tsang-shen.md): Tsǎng Shǎn is the earnest, slow-spoken student whose filial piety and daily self-scrutiny make him the conscience of the school. When Confucius tosses out a single phrase about an all-pervading unity and walks away, it i
- [Yen Yû](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/analects_se/characters/yen-yu.md): Yen Yû is the school's capable manager, the man who knows how to run a household and collect revenues — which is precisely why he keeps getting tangled in the Chî family's overreach. When the Master denounces the Chî chi
- [Chung-kung](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/analects_se/characters/chung-kung.md): Chung-kung moves through the Analects as a model of the administrator who governs without waste — his officers perform no double duties, and the Master defends him against charges of parsimony. The confusion with Kwan Ch
- [Tsâi Wo](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/analects_se/characters/tsai-wo.md): Tsâi Wo is the school's irritant and its necessary skeptic, the student who asks the questions everyone else is too reverent to voice. He proposes shortening the three-year mourning period, and the Master's answer — 'If 
- [Min Tsze-ch’ien](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/analects_se/characters/min-tsze-chien.md): Min Tsze-ch'ien stands among the disciples as the one who would not be bought, the man whose refusal of office is itself a form of teaching. Where Yen Yû takes the Chî family's salary, Min Tsze-ch'ien keeps his distance,
- [Kung-hsî Hwâ](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/analects_se/characters/kung-hsi-hwa.md): A disciple known for his eloquence and skill in ceremonial matters.
- [Nan Yung](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/analects_se/characters/nan-yung.md): A disciple who married Confucius's niece, known for his careful speech.
- [Po-niû](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/analects_se/characters/po-niu.md): A disciple who fell ill, and Confucius expressed deep sorrow over his suffering.
- [Fan Ch’ih](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/analects_se/characters/fan-chih.md): A disciple who asks about farming, virtue, and wisdom, often seeking practical guidance.
- [Yû Zo](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/analects_se/characters/yu-zo.md): A disciple whose sayings are recorded, noted for his emphasis on filial piety and the root of virtue.
- [Tsze-yû](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/analects_se/characters/tsze-yu.md): A disciple known for his appreciation of music and culture, serving as an officer in Wû-ch’ang.
- [Tsze-ch’in](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/analects_se/characters/tsze-chin.md): A disciple who asks about Confucius's character and the Master's view of government.
- [Chung Yû](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/analects_se/characters/chung-yu.md): Another name for Tsze-lû, used in some contexts, emphasizing his given name.
- [Chî Tsze-zan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/analects_se/characters/chih-tsze-zan.md): An officer of the Chî family, involved in political discussions with Confucius's disciples.
- [Chî Lû](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/analects_se/characters/chih-lu.md): A member of the powerful Chî family, often interacting with Confucius and his disciples on governance.
- [Chî K’ang](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/analects_se/characters/chih-kang.md): A head of the Chî family, who consults Confucius on government and the way to maintain order.
- [Duke Âi](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/analects_se/characters/duke-ai.md): The ruler of Lû, who asks Confucius about government and the qualities of a good minister.
- [Duke Ching](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/analects_se/characters/duke-ching.md): The ruler of Ch’î, who asks Confucius about government and is advised on the importance of names.
- [Duke Ting](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/analects_se/characters/duke-ting.md): A ruler of Lû, who asks Confucius about the conduct of a prince and the employment of ministers.
- [Duke of Sheh](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/analects_se/characters/duke-sheh.md): A regional ruler who asks Confucius about government and is told about the importance of rectifying names.
- [Kwan Chung](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/analects_se/characters/kwan-chung.md): A historical statesman of Ch’î, praised by Confucius for his achievements but criticized for his lack of ritual.
- [Tsze-ch’ân](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/analects_se/characters/tsze-chan.md): A minister of Chăng, praised by Confucius for his virtuous governance and attention to the people.
- [Wang-sun Chiâ](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/analects_se/characters/wang-sun-chia.md): A minister of Wei, who asks Confucius about the saying that it is better to pay court to the furnace than to the southwest corner.
- [Chü Po-yü](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/analects_se/characters/chuh-po-yu.md): A virtuous officer of Wei, known for his self-cultivation and sending a messenger to Confucius.
- [Yüan Zang](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/analects_se/characters/yuan-zang.md): An old acquaintance of Confucius, who is criticized for sitting with his legs spread out.
- [Lin Fang](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/analects_se/characters/lin-fang.md): A person who asks about the root of ceremony, and Confucius praises the question.
- [Mang Wû-po](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/analects_se/characters/mang-wu-po.md): A chief of the Mǎng family, who asks about filial piety, and Confucius notes that parents worry about their children's health.
- [Nan-kung Kwo](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/analects_se/characters/nan-kung-kuo.md): A disciple who asks about the ancient heroes Î and Shun, and Confucius praises his reverence.
- [Chung-shû Yü](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/analects_se/characters/chung-shu-yu.md): A person mentioned in a context about the difficulty of being a minister, possibly a historical figure.
- [Shun](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/analects_se/characters/shun.md): A legendary sage-king, often cited by Confucius as a model of virtuous governance.
- [Yâo](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/analects_se/characters/yao.md): A legendary sage-king, cited as a model of rulership and the source of the mandate of heaven.
- [King Wǎn](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/analects_se/characters/king-wen.md): A revered ancient king, praised by Confucius for his virtue and cultural legacy.
- [Duke Hwan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/analects_se/characters/duke-hwan.md): A ruler of Ch’î, praised by Confucius for uniting the states without force, but criticized for his lack of ritual.
- [Chieh-yü](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/analects_se/characters/chieh-yu.md): A madman of Ch’û, who sings a warning to Confucius about the dangers of the times.
- [Ch’ǎng-tsu](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/analects_se/characters/chang-tsu.md): A recluse encountered by Tsze-lû, who criticizes Confucius for his restless pursuit of reform.
- [Chieh-nî](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/analects_se/characters/chieh-ni.md): A recluse encountered by Tsze-lû, who questions the wisdom of following a master who knows the way is not taken.
- [Wei-shang Kâo](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/analects_se/characters/wei-shang-kao.md): A person mentioned in a discussion about the importance of not being known, possibly a recluse.
- [Yang Ho](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/analects_se/characters/yang-ho.md): A powerful minister of Lû, who tries to persuade Confucius to take office.
- [Pî Hsî](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/analects_se/characters/pi-hsi.md): A rebel leader who invites Confucius, but the Master declines, citing the impossibility of joining a rebellion.
- [Hwan T’ui](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/analects_se/characters/hwan-tui.md): A minister of Sung, who attempts to harm Confucius, leading the Master to say that Heaven has given him virtue.
- [Kung-ming Chiâ](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/analects_se/characters/kung-ming-chia.md): A person who asks about Confucius's character, and is told that the Master is a man who forgets to eat in his enthusiasm for learning.
- [Tsze-fû Ching-po](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/analects_se/characters/tsze-fu-ching-po.md): A minister of Wei, who asks Tsze-lû about Confucius's character.
- [Shû-sun Wû-shû](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/analects_se/characters/shu-sun-wu-shu.md): A minister of Lû, who slanders Confucius, and Tsze-kung defends the Master.
- [Po-î](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/analects_se/characters/po-i.md): A virtuous recluse of the Shang dynasty, who starved rather than serve the new dynasty, praised by Confucius.
- [Shû-ch’î](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/analects_se/characters/shu-chi.md): The brother of Po-î, who also starved rather than serve the new dynasty, praised for his purity.
- [Lâo](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/analects_se/characters/lao.md): A person mentioned in a saying about the difficulty of being a minister, possibly a historical figure.
- [Yin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/analects_se/characters/yin.md): A legendary minister of the Shang dynasty, cited as a model of loyalty and service.
- [Liû-hsiâ Hûi](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/analects_se/characters/liu-hsia-hui.md): A virtuous officer of Lû, praised by Confucius for his integrity and humility.
- [Tsang Wǎn-chung](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/analects_se/characters/tsang-wan-chung.md): A minister of Lû, criticized by Confucius for not remonstrating with his ruler.
- [Kung-shû Wǎn](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/analects_se/characters/kung-shu-wan.md): A minister of Wei, known for his humility and learning, praised by Confucius.
- [Mǎng Chǎng](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/analects_se/characters/mang-chang.md): A member of the Mǎng family, mentioned in a discussion about the qualities of good officers.

HTML index: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/analects_se/characters