Zhong You

Zhong You (Chinese: 仲由; Wade–Giles: Chung Yu; 542–480 BC), commonly known by his courtesy names Zilu (Chinese: 子路; Wade–Giles: Tzu-lu) and Jilu (Chinese: 季路; Wade–Giles: Chi-lu), was one of the best known and most faithful disciples of Confucius. Among Confucius' disciples, he was the second in terms of ability and accomplishment in statesmanship, after Ran Qiu. He was noted for his valour and sense of justice, but Confucius often warned him against acting without forethought. In the end, he was killed in the State of Wey in defence of his lord Kong Kui.

Life

Zhong You (Zilu) was born in 542 BC, only nine years younger than Confucius. He was from Bian (卞), a region in the State of Lu that was known for the bravery of its men. He was a yeren, a native inhabitant distinct from the "people of the city", or the Zhou people who settled in fortified towns after their conquest of the land.

When Zilu first met Confucius, he was dressed aggressively and was rude to the Master. Nevertheless, Confucius accepted him as one of his earliest disciples. He became one of the Master's most loyal and closest students, frequently mentioned in the Analects. In the Analects, he is depicted as brave and rash, intolerant of learning but ready for action. In one of Confucius' famous lectures to Zilu, the Master warned that pursuing virtues without learning will result in error. More specifically for Zilu, without learning, the love of courage will lead to failure to follow orders.