子貢乃孔子門下一位相當重要之弟子。孔子許多修己、為政等重要觀念，皆因子貢之發問而披露。孔子視子貢為可造之材，是以每有提示，欲其上遂於道。子貢天性穎悟，洞達世務，洵為一難得之從政人才。彼心思靈明，復觀察入微，是以料事多能準確。此等應世之實用幹才，自古及今，不可多得；彼亦實能大有作為，以有利於國家人民。此等生命姿態之表現，自具一定之價值，而不容忽視。子貢在孔門四科中，以言語著稱。彼能以善巧之言辭，探尋孔子之心意，並將道理追問到底，發揮語言表達之藝術。至其辯才，主要表現在外交辭令上。彼周旋於大國政要之間，侃侃而談，頗能影響當時政局。子貢雖對孔子之學識與人格多所了解，然對孔子道德慧命，終不通透，所以不能傳孔子之道。彼不論彰揚孔子之聖德，或扭轉他人對孔子之誤解，皆不遺餘力，處處表現尊師之至誠。子貢是一高材美器，孔子寄望甚殷，故對彼之磨礲亦較嚴格；不論回答其問或主動提示，皆有裁成之意。彼既受教於聖人之門，故大德不虧，有以自立，尤於改過與去惡，深有體認。孔子之道一以貫之，即是仁以貫之。子貢雖相從孔子之日久，但對於仁無清
楚之意識。既未能體解仁之真諦，對性與天道之義蘊，自然有所隔閡。

Zi-gong was a very important disciple of Confucius. Many of Confucius’ significant concepts of self-cultivation and managing political affairs were revealed because of Zi-gong’s question raising. Confucius deemed Zi-gong as a rough diamond. Therefore, Confucius gave him a hint often with the purpose of wanting him to be interlinked upward with Dao.Zi-gong was clever and bright with the power of understanding, and had an insight into the affairs of the world; he was actually a rare talent of entering politics. He had a flexible thought and was keenly observant; hence, he was precise to predict things. This kind talent that can be practically used in the society is hard to come by from ancient time to present;
actually he had great deeds to benefit the country and the people. The manifestation of this kind of appearance of life has a certain value by itself, and should not be neglected.Among the four branches of Confucius, Zi-gong was famous for language. He could use skillful language to explore and seek for Confucius’ intention, interrogated persistently to
get at the bottom of principles, and brought the art of language expression into full play. As for his eloquence, it was mainly displayed at its diplomatic language. He socialized with high-ranking government officials of big countries, talked with confidence and composure,
and he could considerably influence the political situation at that time. However, although Zi-gong understood Confucius’ erudition and character very much, he could not thoroughly understand Confucius’ wisdom on morality; hence, he could not inherit the Confucian orthodoxy. Yet he spared no efforts whether on enhancing and glorifying Confucius’morality as saint or reversing and correcting others’ misunderstanding of Confucius, and expressed his complete sincerity of respecting his teacher everywhere.Zi-gong was a person of outstanding ability, and Confucius had deep expectation on him;hence, Confucius conducted stricter training on him; whether answering his question or giving a hint actively, Confucius’ purpose was to enable him to reach further achievement. Since he accepted the education in the school of a saint, he did not have a deficit on morality in general direction, he could establish his own character, and he had especially deep realization of correcting his errors and making a fresh start, as well as getting rid of evil. The consistent principle of Confucius’ teachings can be represented in one word, namely Jen (Benevolence).Although Zi-gong followed Confucius for a long period of time, he did not have clear consciousness of Jen (Benevolence). Because he did not comprehend the true meaning of Jen (Benevolence), there was naturally a barrier to the connotation of the moral nature or Dao
for him.