Analects · Character

Chung-kung

A disciple praised for virtue and practical governance, whose name the text must repeatedly disentangle from the statesman Kwan Chung.

supporting

Also known as II Chung - kung, Chung - kung, Kwan Chung, Chung - yû

First appearance: book i hsio r

As a supporting figure in Analects, Chung-kung is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

Criticized by Confucius for having small capacity and for not knowing the rules of propriety, as he had a screen at his gate and a stand for inverted cups like the princes.

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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 Chung is not incidental: the book uses the comparison to test what real propriety looks like when a powerful minister keeps a princely screen at his gate. Chung-kung matters because he shows the school's ideal in working clothes, a man whose virtue is measured in how he runs an office, not in how he talks about virtue.

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See Chung-kung in book i hsio r

Character Web

19 connections

A slice of how Chung-kung sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

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Character groups

Wide Range of Confucian Contexts
Protagonist
Confucius's Interlocutors and Disciples

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

The emotional peak occurs when Confucius directly confronts Yû with a list of six virtues—benevolence, knowled…

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In the story

Chung-kung appears across 14 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Book III: Pa Yih
Criticized by Confucius for having small capacity and for not knowing the rules of propriety, as he had a screen at his gate and a stand for inverted cups like the princes.
XXII
Subject of criticism for exceeding his station in ritual matters.
IV
Referred to as 'Yung' in the excerpt, he is praised for his virtue but noted as not being ready with his tongue.
Book VI: Yung Yey
Engages in dialogue with Confucius about Tsze-sang Po-tsze and is affirmed for his correct judgment.
Chapter I
Asks about Tsze-sang Po-tsze and offers a nuanced view on ease in governance.
Chapter IV
The subject of Confucius's analogy, implicitly praised for his potential and worth despite possible humble origins.
II
Distinguished for virtuous principles and practice.
Book XII: Yen Yüan
Inquires about perfect virtue and is taught the principle of not doing to others what one would not wish done to oneself.
II
Asks about perfect virtue and commits to practicing the lesson despite his self-perceived deficiencies.
Book XIII: Tsze-Lû
Asks about government as chief minister, receiving advice on employing officers and promoting virtue.
II
Chief minister to the Head of the Chî family; seeks guidance on governance.
X
Mentioned in relation to the city of Pien and the chief of the Po family.
Chapter XVII
Subject of the discussion; praised for his influence.
Chapter XVIII
Praised for his role as prime minister and his achievements in unifying the kingdom.

Chapter companion notes

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See Chung-kung in book i hsio r

See Chung-kung in Book III: Pa Yih