“Consult Your Elders” vs. “Act at Once”: The Art of Contradictory Counsel

By Zheng / April 24, 2026 / contrast, dialogue, disciples, education, pedagogical wisdom, Ran You, tailored instruction, teaching, The Analects, Xian Jin XI, Xian Jin XI Chapter 22, Zi Lu

Confucius said to Zi Lu: “Consult your elders first.” And to Ran You: “Act on it immediately.”

There are your father and elder brothers to be consulted – why should you act on that principle of immediately carrying into practice what you hear?
Immediately carry into practice what you hear.

有父兄在，如之何其闻斯行之？
闻斯行之。

Source: The Analects, Xian Jin XI, Chapter 22

Author: Confucius

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