# Tsze-kung — Analects character guide > Tsze-kung in Analects by Confucius. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Tsze, Tsze - kung, XII Tsze - kung, XIII Tsze - kung, XIV Tsze - kung, XV Tsze - kung, XVIII Tsze - kung, XIX Tsze - kung, XXIV Tsze - kung, III Tsze - kung, VII Tsze - kung, XI Tsze - kung, Tsze - kung **First appearance:** 0000-book-i-hsio-r ## Who they are 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. ## Relationships ### [Confucius](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/analects_se/characters/confucius) _friendship_ Confucius and Tsze-kung share a close mentor-student bond, with Tsze-kung often seeking wisdom and Confucius guiding him in moral and practical matters. ### [Confucius](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/analects_se/characters/confucius) _friendship_ Confucius and Tsze-kung share a close mentor-student bond, with Tsze-kung often seeking wisdom and Confucius guiding him in moral and practical matters. ### [Confucius](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/analects_se/characters/confucius) _friendship_ Confucius and Tsze-kung share a close mentor-student bond, with Tsze-kung often seeking wisdom and Confucius guiding him in moral and practical matters. ## In the story ### [Book I: Hsio R](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/analects_se/chapters/book-i-hsio-r) Explains how the Master obtains information about government through his benign, upright, courteous, temperate, and complaisant character; engages in a dialogue about the poor and the rich. ### [X](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/analects_se/chapters/x) Explains that Confucius's virtuous character enables him to learn about government. ### [XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/analects_se/chapters/xv) Asks about the poor and rich, and demonstrates understanding of the Odes. ### [Book II: Wei Chang](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/analects_se/chapters/book-ii-wei-chang) Asks what constitutes the superior man, and Confucius replies about acting before speaking. ### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/analects_se/chapters/xiii) Asks Confucius about the nature of the superior man. ### [Book III: Pa Yih](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/analects_se/chapters/book-iii-pa-yih) Wishes to do away with the offering of a sheep at the inauguration of the first day of each month; Confucius says he loves the ceremony. ### [Chapter XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/analects_se/chapters/xvii) Wishes to eliminate the sheep offering, showing a preference for practical economy over ritual. ### [Book V: Kung-Ye Ch’ǎng](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/analects_se/chapters/book-v-kung-ye-ch-ng) Asks about his own worth and compares himself to Yen Hûi, showing humility and a desire for self-improvement. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/analects_se/chapters/iii) Asks Confucius to evaluate him and receives the metaphor of a gemmed sacrificial utensil. ### [Chapter VII: The Master's Comparison of Tsze-kung and Yen Hûi](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/analects_se/chapters/vii) Tsze-kung humbly compares himself to Hûi, acknowledging his own limitations. ### [Chapter XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/analects_se/chapters/xi) Articulates the negative form of the Golden Rule, but is told by Confucius he has not yet attained it. ### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/analects_se/chapters/xii) Observes the limits of hearing the Master's teachings on profound subjects. ### [Chapter XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/analects_se/chapters/xiv) Asks Confucius about the basis for Kung-wǎn's title of 'wǎn'. ### [Book VI: Yung Yey](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/analects_se/chapters/book-vi-yung-yey) Asks about the man of perfect virtue, leading Confucius to explain the art of virtue. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/analects_se/chapters/vi) Described as a man of intelligence, fit for government office. ### [XXVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/analects_se/chapters/xxviii) Asks about the standard of perfect virtue and whether extensive beneficence qualifies. ### [Book VII: Shû R](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/analects_se/chapters/book-vii-sh-r) Asks Confucius about Po-î and Shû-ch’î to infer Confucius's stance on the ruler of Wei. ### [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/analects_se/chapters/xiv) Devises a subtle method to discern the Master's opinion by asking about Po-î and Shû-ch'î. ### [Book IX: Tsze Han](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/analects_se/chapters/book-ix-tsze-han) Asks about the Master's sagehood and the value of a beautiful gem. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/analects_se/chapters/vi) Defends Confucius's sagehood, attributing his varied abilities to Heaven's unlimited endowment. ### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/analects_se/chapters/xii) Asks Confucius whether to keep a beautiful gem hidden or sell it, using it as a metaphor for offering one's talents. ### [Book XI: Hsien Tsin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/analects_se/chapters/book-xi-hsien-tsin) Noted for his correct judgments and his question about the relative merits of Shih and Shang. ### [Chapter XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/analects_se/chapters/xii) Standing by Confucius's side with a free and straightforward manner. ### [XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/analects_se/chapters/xv) Asks Confucius to compare Shih and Shang, and initially assumes that going beyond is superior. ### [Chapter XVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/analects_se/chapters/xviii) Noted for not acquiescing in Heaven's appointments and increasing his goods, yet his judgments are often correct. ### [Book XII: Yen Yüan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/analects_se/chapters/book-xii-yen-y-an) Asks about government and friendship, and discusses the importance of faith in rulers and the value of substance over ornament. ### [Chapter VII: On Government and Trust](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/analects_se/chapters/vii) Asks about government and presses Confucius to prioritize the three requisites. ### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/analects_se/chapters/viii) Corrects Chî Tsze-ch’ǎng's view on substance and ornament, asserting their interdependence. ### [XXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/analects_se/chapters/xxiii) Asks Confucius about friendship. ### [Book XIII: Tsze-Lû](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/analects_se/chapters/book-xiii-tsze-l) Inquires about the qualities of an officer and the nature of a man loved or hated by his neighbors. ### [XX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/analects_se/chapters/xx) Asks Confucius about the qualities of an officer, seeking to understand the hierarchy of virtuous conduct. ### [XXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/analects_se/chapters/xxiv) Asks the Master about the significance of universal love or hate from the neighborhood. ### [Book XIV: Hsien Wǎn](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/analects_se/chapters/book-xiv-hsien-w-n) Engages in dialogue about the Master's self-assessment and the practice of comparing men. ### [Chapter XVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/analects_se/chapters/xviii) Raises a moral dilemma about Kwan Chung's virtue. ### [The Way of the Superior Man](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/analects_se/chapters/xxx) Observes that the Master himself exemplifies the threefold way. ### [XXXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/analects_se/chapters/xxxi) Habit of comparing men; Confucius implies he has reached a high pitch of excellence but lacks leisure for such activity. ### [XXXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/analects_se/chapters/xxxvii) Asks Confucius to explain his lament that no one knows him. ### [Book XV: Wei Ling Kung](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/analects_se/chapters/book-xv-wei-ling-kung) Engages in dialogue about Confucius's method of learning and asks about a single word to guide life. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/analects_se/chapters/ii) Tsze-kung assumes the Master's knowledge is based on memorization, but is corrected. ### [Chapter IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/analects_se/chapters/ix) Asks Confucius about the practice of virtue. ### [XXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/analects_se/chapters/xxiii) Asks Confucius about a one-word rule for life. ### [Book XVI: Ke She](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/analects_se/chapters/book-xvi-ke-she) Not directly mentioned in this chapter, but his presence is implied through the context of Confucius's teachings. ### [Book XVII: Yang Ho](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/analects_se/chapters/book-xvii-yang-ho) Inquires about the superior man's hatreds and expresses his own; also asks about Confucius's silence. ### [XIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/analects_se/chapters/xix) Questions how disciples will record teachings if the Master does not speak. ### [XXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/analects_se/chapters/xxiv) Asks about the superior man's hatreds and then shares his own, revealing his disdain for false wisdom, false valour, and false straightforwardness. ### [Book XIX: Tsze-Chang](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/analects_se/chapters/book-xix-tsze-chang) Defends Confucius against criticism, using metaphors of the sun and moon, and explains the Master's learning. ### [Chapter XX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/analects_se/chapters/xx) Reflects on the reputation of Châu and the importance of a superior man's position. ### [XXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/analects_se/chapters/xxi) Tsze-kung speaks, offering a metaphor about the faults of the superior man. ### [XXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/analects_se/chapters/xxii) Explains that Confucius's learning comes from the doctrines of Wǎn and Wû, which are preserved among men, and that Confucius had no need for a regular master. ### [XXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/analects_se/chapters/xxiii) Defends Confucius's superiority using the metaphor of a wall, showing humility and reverence for his Master. ### [XXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/analects_se/chapters/xxiv) Defends Confucius, comparing him to the sun and moon. ### [XXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/analects_se/chapters/xxv) Defends Confucius's superiority, emphasizing the unattainable nature of his virtue and wisdom. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/analects_se/characters/tsze-kung - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/analects_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/analects_se/characters