Analects 2:13

In this particular day, I shall interpret a verse from the Analects, namely 2:13. In A Source Book In Chinese Philosophy, Wing Tsit Chan presents the verse:

“Tzu-kung asked about the superior man. Confucius said, ‘He acts before he speaks and then he speaks according to his action.’ “ ¹

Firstly, let us discuss the theme of the verse.  The theme is about the “rectification of the mind”.   Confucius believed that before one can go about rectifying the use of “names”, he must first correct his way of thinking.  It is in this sense that one can use the real essence of words and functions. 

Reflecting on the verse, one can say that Confucius gives more emphasis on action.  Action is important in communicating, because it gives the manifestation of one’s intention or idea.  What gives action a little advantage over speaking is that the message which a certain individual tries to convey is understood clearly compared to words that can mean so many things.   One can say he trusts a person, but this trust is not manifested unless there is some gesture which proves this trust.  Mere words cannot prove anything, and they can even cause misunderstanding because of the varied interpretations of them.  Misuse of words can result to misunderstanding, prejudice and division.  However, both word and action are equally important.  What Confucius meant by the above-stated verse is that a superior man thinks and reflects thoroughly first before he acts and speaks.   He should not jump into a certain situation without thinking and reflecting first.

Another way of understanding this verse is relating this to common quotes or sayings such as “action speaks louder than words” , “walk your talk” or “practice what you preach.”  These quotes or sayings give more emphasis on the essential value of action as a holistic determinant of real communication.   Actions and words can either be tricky, flattering, ambiguous, exact, sincere, or truthful. It depends on what they are based on how they are thought and reflected upon by a person. 

  He does not need to speak so eloquently or persuasively to convince people to follow a certain value.  By just practicing what he preaches is enough to propagate his message.  The concrete representation of his value can be seen and felt by the people through his gestures.  But gestures can be also misunderstood or misinterpreted.  For Confucius, he resolves this by going back to “rectification of the mind.”   If one has a clear perspective on something because he has thought and reflected on it thoroughly, then undesirable actions and filthy words can be avoided.  Clear perspectives can be sourced from moral norms, traditions, societal laws and standards of behavior.

   It made them have that inclination to follow that practice because they did not only hear, but they have also seen and experienced it.  It is in this sense that the phrase ‘and then he speaks according to his action.’ apply.  Say, one teaches the value of obedience and generosity.  In order to let the people understand what really is being obedient and generous, the one teaching about it usually shows gestures (e.g. following the law , giving food to the needy) to fill up what is lacking with mere words.   It is in this “filling up” by practicing what one preaches that signifies the “rectification” of the mind.

 We can also understand the phrase ‘and then he speaks according to his action’ is that of the concept in “being true to one’s word.”  Say, a politician who is making promises during their campaigns to do projects and other related charity works for the people.   Making promises is not necessarily wrong.   What can make this gesture wrong is that, if such politician does not translate into action what he had promised to the community.  This “action” of not fulfilling his promise negates his very intention and destroys the people’s trust.  This is because there is no concrete manifestation of such good intention. Next time, people will no longer believe in him.  Actions and words must be in harmony.  What one does should determine what one speaks.

The rectification of the mind is important in the development of the “chun tzu”.  Every person has the inherent gift of intelligence or reason.  He can use this to think and reflect on things in life.  He can use this to clear his mind of confusion caused by pressures, impulses and weaknesses before doing anything.  Pressures, impulses and his weaknesses can blind him. Through thinking and reflecting, he can analyze what is right from wrong and he can choose what is best in a given situation.  Real and worthy things and values are realized only by people with clear thoughts and right actions.  Right words follow from these.

Many of a person’s mistakes in life are committed because of acting on impulses and speaking without thinking. Mistakes cannot be undone.  They can only be realized after an action is done. Thinking and reflecting are basic capacities of a person where right and best action can originate.  Action is an external expression and internal interpretation of something.   Words are affirmations of what one thinks.   Thus, it is necessary for a person to think deeply so he can act rightly and speak sincerely.   What is in the heart, the mouth speaks.  

Source:

1. Wing Tsit Chan, “The Humanism of Confucius”, (United States: Princeton University Press, 1963), In A Source Book In Chinese Philosophy,26.