宪问篇第十四
【原文】
14·1 宪(1)问耻。子曰:“邦有道(2),谷(3);邦无道,谷,耻也。”问:“克(4)、伐(5)、怨、欲不行焉,可以为仁矣?”子曰:“可以为难矣,仁则吾不知也。”
【注释】
(1) 宪:姓原名宪,孔子的学生。
(2) 有道:天下太平。
(3)谷:当时以谷物做官员的俸禄,这里引申为做官。
(4)克:好胜。
(5)伐:自夸。
【白话】
原宪问孔子什么是可耻。孔子说:“天下大治时,可以当官;天下大乱时,当官就是耻辱。”问:“好胜、自夸、怨恨、贪婪,这几种毛病都没有的人,可以算仁吗?”孔子说:“这可以算很难得,但是算不算仁我不知道。”
【英译】
Yuan Xian asked about shame. Confucius said: “When there is a great order across the land, you can be an official. Yet if you still want to be an official when there is a disorder under heaven, you are shameful.” He asked once more: “Loving to excel others, self-praising, resentment, greediness, if a person doesn’t have any of these shortcomings, can it be said that his quality is up to the standards of humanity?” Confucius said: “It’s rare for a person to be up to this standard. But I don’t know whether this can be considered humanity or not.”
【原文】
14·2 子曰:“士而怀居(1),不足以为士矣。”
【注释】
(1)怀居:怀,留恋。居,家居。指恋家。
【白话】
孔子说:“士如果恋家,就不配做士了。”
【英译】
Confucius said: “If a gentleman is reluctant to leave home, he cannot be a gentleman.”
【原文】
14·3 子曰:“邦有道,危(1)言危行;邦无道,危行言孙(2)。”
【注释】
(1)危:直,正直。
(2)孙:音义皆同“逊”。
【白话】
孔子说:“处于治世,要正言正行;处于乱世,还要正直,但说话要谦和。”
【英译】
Confucius said: “In case of great order across the land, your action and words should be honest, while in case of disorder under heaven, your action and words should still be honest, yet you should be modest and amiable.”
【原文】
14·4 子曰:“有德者必有言,有言者不必有德。仁者必有勇,勇者不必有仁。”
【白话】
孔子说:“有好品德的人必定有好言论,有好言论的人未必有好品德。有仁爱之心的人必定有勇气,有勇气的人未必有仁爱之心。”
【英译】
Confucius said: “A person with fine characters must necessarily have fine words, yet the one with fine words is not necessarily of fine characters. A person with feelings of humanity must be brave, yet a brave person is not necessarily be of feelings of humanity.”
【原文】
14·5 南宫适(1)问于孔子曰:“羿(2)善射,奡荡(3)舟(4),俱不得其死然。禹稷(5)躬稼而有天下。”夫子不答。南宫适出。子曰:“君子哉若人!尚德哉若人!”
【注释】
(1)南宫适:适,音义皆同“括”,即南容。
(2)羿:读“义”,传说中夏代有穷国的国君,善于射箭,曾夺夏太康的王位,后被其臣寒浞所杀。
(3)奡:读“傲”,一作“浇”,传说中寒浞的儿子。后来为夏的后人少康所杀。浞, 读“卓”,淋。
(4)荡舟:用手推船。传说中奡力大,善于水战。
(5)禹稷:禹,夏朝的开国之君,善于治水,注重发展农业。稷,传说是周朝的祖先,又为谷神,教民种植庄稼。
【白话】
南宫适问孔子:“羿善于射箭,奡善于水战,最后都不得好死。禹和稷都亲自种植庄稼,却得到了天下。”孔子没有回答,南宫适出去后,孔子说:“这个人真是个君子呀!这个人真尊重道德。”
【英译】
Nangong Shi asked Confucius: “Yi was good at arrow-shooting, and Ao was good at fighting in water. Yet neither of them died a worthy death. Yu and Ji were engaged in farming but they successfully seized state power.” Confucius didn’t reply. After Nangong Shi left, Confucius said: “He is really a gentleman! He worships virtues indeed.”
【原文】
14·6 子曰:“君子而不仁者有矣夫,未有小人而仁者也。”
【白话】
孔子说:“只有不仁德的君子,没有仁德的小人。”
【英译】
Confucius said: “There are only gentlemen without feelings of humanity, but no vulgarians with feelings of humanity.”
【原文】
14·7 子曰:“爱之,能勿劳乎?忠焉,能勿诲乎?”
【白话】
孔子说:“爱一个人,你能不为他操劳吗?忠于一个人,你能不教诲他吗?”
【英译】
Confucius said: “If you love a person, is it possible for you not to work hard for him? If you are honest to a person, is it possible for you not to instruct him?”
【原文】
14·8 子曰:“为命(1),裨谌(2)草创之,世叔(3)讨论之,行人(4)子羽(5)修饰之,东里(6)子产润色之。”
【注释】
(1)命:国家政令。
(2)裨谌:读“必陈”,人名,郑国大夫。
(3)世叔:子太叔,名游吉,郑国大夫。宰相子产死后,继任。
(4)行人:外交官,掌管朝觐聘问等对外事务。
(5)子羽:郑国大夫公孙挥的字。
(6)东里:地名,郑国大夫子产居住的地方。
【白话】
孔子说:“郑国发布公文,程序是裨谌起草,世叔提意见,外交官子羽加以修饰,最后由子产做最终的润色。”
【英译】
When issuing official documents, the common procedure is like this: Bi Chen made a draft; Shi Shu put forward his proposals; Ztu Yu, official in charge of foreign affairs, proposed amendments and addenda; and Ztu Chan did the final polishing up.
【原文】
14·9 或问子产。子曰:“惠人也。”问子西(1)。曰:“彼哉!彼哉!”问管仲。曰:“人也(2)。夺伯氏(3)骈邑(4)三百,饭疏食,没齿(5)无怨言。”
【注释】
(1)子西:这里的子西指楚国的令尹,名申。
(2)人也:即此人也。
(3)伯氏:齐国的大夫。
(4)骈邑:地名,伯氏的采邑。
(5)没齿:死。
【白话】
有人问子产是个怎样的人。孔子说:“他这个人真有德。”问子西怎么样,孔子说:“他呀!他呀!”问管仲怎样,孔子说:“他这个人真有才。他剥夺了伯氏封地,但不居功自傲,而是过了一辈子苦日子,到老死也无怨言。”
【 英译】
Someone asked about Ztu Chan. Confucius said: “This man is really of integrity.” This man asked about Ztu Xi. Confucius said: “That guy! That guy!” That man asked about Guan Zhong. Confucius said: “He is really of ability. He deprived Bo family of their feoff but he never claimed credit for himself and became conceited. He had long been living a hard life without any complains till the end of his life.”
【原文】
14·10 子曰:“贫而无怨难,富而无骄易。”
【白话】
孔子说:“贫穷而能够没有怨恨是很难做到的,富裕而不骄傲是容易做到的。”
【英译】
Confucius said: “It’s difficult for a person to be poor but bear no resentment. It’s easy for a person to be rich but not to be arrogant.
【原文】
14·11 子曰:“孟公绰(1)为赵魏老(2)则优(3),不可以为滕薛(4)大夫。”
【注释】
(1)孟公绰:鲁国大夫,属于孟孙氏家族。
(2)老:这里指古代大夫的家臣。
(3)优:有余。
(4)滕薛:滕,诸侯国,在今山东滕县。薛,诸侯国,在今山东滕县东南。
【白话】
孔子说:“孟公绰做赵魏两家的家臣,是才力有余的,但不能做滕薛两国的大夫。”
【英译】
Confucius said: “It’s more than enough for Meng Gongchuo to be a manager in the two families of Zhao and Wei, but it’s not advisable for him to be a minister in the two countries of Teng and Xue.”
【原文】
14·12 子路问成人(1)。子曰:“若臧武仲(2)之知,公绰之不欲,卞庄子(3)之勇,冉求之艺,文之以礼乐,亦可以为成人矣。”曰:“今之成人者何必然?见利思义,见危授命,久要(4)不忘平生之言,亦可以为成人矣。”
【注释】
(1)成人:十全十美的完人。
(2)臧武仲:鲁国大夫臧孙纥。
(3)卞庄子:鲁国卞邑大夫。
(4)久要:长期贫困。
【白话】
子路问怎样做才算完人。孔子说:“如果具有臧武仲的智慧,孟公绰的克制,卞庄子的勇敢,冉求的才艺;再加上知礼懂乐的修养,就可以算完人了。”又说:“现在的完人就不必这样了,见到利益时,考虑道义;见到危险时,奋不顾身;长期贫穷也不忘平日的诺言,也可以算完人了。”
【英译】
Ztu Lu asked how can be a perfect man. Confucius said: “A person of the wisdom of Zang Wuchong, the restraint of Meng Gongchuo, the courage of Bian Zhuangztu and the skills of Ran Qiu has a good comprehension of proprieties and music he can be considered a perfect man.” Confucius said again: “But the present perfect men don’t need to act this way. So long as they can remember justice when facing benefits, can act regardless of his safety when facing danger, can remember his previous promises when having long been in dire necessity, they can be considered perfect men.”
【原文】
14·13 子问公叔文子(1)于公明贾(2)曰:“信乎,夫子(3)不言,不笑,不取乎?”公明贾对曰:“以(4)告者过也。夫子时然后言,人不厌其言;乐然后笑,人不厌其笑;义然后取,人不厌其取。”子曰:“其然?岂其然乎?”
【注释】
(1)公叔之子:卫国大夫公孙拔,卫献公之子。谥号“文”。
(2)公明贾:姓公明字贾。卫国人。
(3)夫子:文中指公叔文子。
(4)以:此处是“这个”的意思。
【白话】
孔子向公明贾问公叔文子的情况:“他不说、不笑、不取,是真的吗?”公明贾答:“这话过讲过火了。他该说时才说,人们才不讨厌他的说;快乐时才笑,人们才不讨厌他的笑;该取时才取,人们才不讨厌他的取。”孔子说:“是这样吗?难道真是这样吗?”
【英译】
Confucius asked Gongming Gu about Gongshu Wenztu: “He doesn’t speak, doesn’t smile and doesn’t take anything. Really?” Gongming Gu said: “Whoever told you this carried it too far. He speaks only when necessary, smiles only when happy and take something only when he should so that people don’t detest him.” Confucius said: “Is it like this? Is it really like this?”
【原文】
14·14 子曰:“臧武仲以防求为后于鲁,虽曰不要君,吾不信也。”
【注释】
(1) 要:要挟
【白话】
孔子说:“臧武仲想以撤离封地作为交换条件,请求鲁君在鲁国替臧氏后代确立社会地位,虽然有人认为他不是要挟君主,我不相信。”
【英译】
Confucius said: “Zang Wuchong wanted to withdraw from his fief and then took it as a condition for him to ask the lord of the country Lu to establish social position for the future generations of Zang family. Some people didn’t consider his action as putting pressure on the lord of the country Lu. But I don’t believe.”
【原文】
14·15 子曰:“晋文公(1)谲(2)而不正,齐桓公(3)正而不谲。”
【注释】
(1)晋文公:姓姬名重耳,春秋时期有作为的政治家,著名的霸主之一。公元前636 - 前628年在位。
(2)谲:读“绝”,欺诈,玩弄手段。
(3)齐桓公:姓姜名小白,春秋时期有作为的政治家,著名的霸主之一。公元前685 - 前643年在位。
【白话】
孔子说:“晋文公诡诈而不正派,齐桓公正派而不诡诈。”
【英译】
Confucius said: “Jin Wen Gong was fraudulent but not honest and upright. Qi Huan Gong was honest and upright but not fraudulent.”
【原文】
14·16 子路曰:“桓公杀公子纠(1),召忽(2)死之,管仲不死。”曰:“未仁乎?”子曰:“桓公九合诸侯(3),不以兵车(4),管仲之力也。如其仁(5),如其仁。”
【注释】
(1)公子纠:齐桓公的哥哥。齐桓公与他争位,杀掉了他。
(2)召忽:管仲和召忽都是公子纠的家臣。公子纠被杀后,召忽自杀,管仲归服于齐桓公,并当上了齐国的宰相。
(3)九合诸侯:指齐桓公多次召集诸侯盟会。
(4)不以兵车:即不用武力。
(5)如其仁:这就是他的仁德。
【白话】
子路说:“齐桓公杀公子纠,召忽殉难,但管仲却不自杀。管仲不能算仁人吧?”孔子说:“桓公多次召集各路诸侯协商解决问题,不用武力,都是管仲在暗中出力呀。这就是他的仁德,这就是他的仁德。”
【英译】
Ztu Lu said: “Huan Gong killed his brother Gongztu Jiu, Zhao Hu died a martyr, but Guan Zhong didn’t commit suicide. Guan Zhong should not be considered a man of humanity, should he?” Confucius said: “Huan Gong called dukes and princes under his regime to handle problems according to the principle of reaching unanimity through consultation instead of arms. It was well done only because Guan Zhong had secretly exerted his efforts. This is the humanity of Guan Zhong. This is the humanity of Guan Zhong.”
【原文】
14·17 子贡曰:“管仲非仁者与?桓公杀公子纠,不能死,又相之。”子曰:“管仲相桓公,霸诸侯,一匡天下,民到于今受其赐。微(1)管仲,吾其被发左衽(2)矣。岂若匹夫匹妇之为谅(3)也,自经(4)于沟渎(5)而莫之知也。”
【注释】
(1)微:无,没有。
(2)被发左衽:被,同“披”。衽,衣襟。“被发左衽”是当时的夷狄之俗。
(3)谅:遵守信用。这里指小节小信。
(4)自经:上吊自杀。
(5)渎:小沟渠。
【白话】
子贡问:“管仲不能算仁人吧?桓公杀公子纠,他没有为公子纠殉死,反而做桓公的宰相。”孔子说:“管仲辅佐桓公,称霸诸侯,匡正天下,老百姓至今还受到他的恩惠。如果没有管仲,恐怕我们现在还要受到外来侵扰。因此哪能要求管仲像普通百姓那样拘泥小节,默默无闻地在小山沟里自杀呢?”
【英译】
Ztu Gong asked: “Guan Zhong should not be considered a man of humanity, should he? Huan Gong killed his own brother Gongztu Jiu. He didn’t sacrifice his life for Gongztu Jiu and worse of all he became Huan Gong’s premier instead.” Confucius said: “Guan Zhong helped Huan Gong unify the whole country by lording it over dukes and princes under his regime. It is only because of this that our people are still enjoying his favor even now. If without Guan Zhong, I’m afraid we are still suffering from foreign invasion.
So, how can we ask Guan Zhong to commit suicide secretly in the wild just like an ordinary people who rigidly adheres to trivial matters only?”
【原文】
14·18 公叔文子之臣大夫僎(1)与文子同升诸公(2)。子闻之,曰:“可以为文矣。”
【注释】
(1)僎:读“寻”,人名。公叔文子的家臣。
(2)升诸公:公,公室。这是说僎由家臣升为大夫,与公叔文子同位。
【白话】
公叔文子推荐一个佣人做了大夫,与他平起平坐。孔子说:“公叔文子可以称为‘文’了。”
【英译】
Gongshu Wenztu recommended his manager to be a minister who was on an equal footing with him. Heard this, Confucius said: “Gongshu Wenztu can be considered a gentleman.”
【原文】
14·19 子言卫灵公之无道也,康子曰:“夫如是,奚而不丧?”孔子曰:“仲叔圉(1)治宾客,祝鮀治宗庙,王孙贾治军旅,夫如是,奚其丧?”
【注释】
(1) 仲叔圉:圉,读“雨”,即孔文子。他与后面提到的祝鮀(读“驼”)、王孙贾都是卫国的大夫。
【白话】
孔子讲到卫灵公的无道,季康子说:“既然如此,为什么他没有垮台呢?”孔子说:“因为他有仲叔圉接待宾客,祝鮀管理宗庙祭祀,王孙贾统率军队,像这样,怎么会败亡呢?”
【英译】
Confucius talked about Wei Ling Gong’s incompetence. Ji Kangztu said: “Why could he avert collapse now that the case was like this?” Confucius said: “He had Zhongshu Yu in charge of guest-reception, Zhu Tuo in charge of sacrifice affairs and Wangsun Gu in charge of military. In this case, how could he collapse?”
14·20 子曰:“其言之不怍(1),则为之也难。”
【注释】
(1)怍:读“做”,惭愧的意思。
【白话】
孔子说:“说话大言不惭,兑现诺言就难了。”
【英译】
Confucius said: “If a man boast without shame, it’s hard for him to keep him promise.”
【原文】
14·20 陈成子(1)弑简公(2)。孔子沐浴而朝,告于哀公曰:“陈恒弑其君,请讨之。”公曰:“告夫三子(3)。”孔子曰:“以吾从大夫之后(4),不敢不告也。君曰‘告夫三子’者。”之(5)三子告,不可。孔子曰:“以吾从大夫之后,不敢不告也。”
【注释】
(1)陈成子:即陈恒,齐国大夫,又叫田成子。他以大斗借出,小斗收进的方法受到百姓拥护。公元前481年,他杀死齐简公,夺取了政权。
(2)简公:齐简公,姓姜名壬。公元前484 - 前481年在位。
(3)三子:指季孙、孟孙、叔孙三家。
(4)从大夫之后:孔子曾任过大夫职,但此时已经去官家居,所以说从大夫之后。
(5)之:动词,往。
【白话】
陈成子杀了齐简公。孔子沐浴后上朝,向鲁哀公报告:“陈恒把他的君主杀了,请讨伐他。”哀公说:“向三位大夫报告吧。”孔子说:“因为我做过大夫,不敢不报告。君主却说出‘你去向三位大夫报告’的话!”孔子只好向三位大夫报告,他们不同意讨伐。孔子说:“因为我做过大夫,不敢不报告。”
【英译】
Chen Chengztu killed Qi Jian Gong. After bath, Confucius had an audience with the lord of Ju Ai Gong and make a report: “Chen Heng killed his lord. Please send out troops to suppress him.” Ai Gong said: “Make a report to the three ministers.” Confucius said: “I was once a minister so I don’t dare not to make a report to you. But you should say ‘make a report to the three ministers’!” Confucius had to make a report to these three ministers but they didn’t agree to send out troops to suppress Chen Heng. Confucius said: “I was once a minister so I don’t dare not to make a report to you.”
【原文】
14·22 子路问事君。子曰:“勿欺也,而犯之。”
【白话】
子路问怎样事奉君主。孔子说:“不能欺骗他,但可以犯颜直谏。”
【英译】
Ztu Lu asked how to serve a lord. Confucius said: “You can’t cheat him but you can advise him outspokenly without worrying that you may angry him.”
【原文】
14·23 子曰:“君子上达,小人下达。”
【注释】 上达:追求高尚。下达:追求庸俗。
【白话】
孔子说:“君子追求高尚,小人追求庸俗。”
【英译】
Confucius said: “Gentlemen seek noble things but vulgarians seek vulgar thing.”
【原文】
14·24 子曰:“古之学者为己,今之学者为人。”
【白话】
孔子说:“古人学习是为提高自己,而今人学习是为作秀。”
【英译】
Confucius said: “Ancient people study for enhance themselves but present people study for show.”
【原文】
14·25 蘧伯玉(1)使人于孔子,孔子与之坐而问焉。曰:“夫子何为?”对曰:“夫子欲寡其过而未能也。”使者出,子曰:“使乎!使乎!”
【注释】
(1)蘧伯玉:蘧,读“渠”。人名,卫国的大夫,名瑗,也孔子到卫国时曾住在他的家里。
【白话】
蘧伯玉派使者访问孔子。孔子请使者坐下,然后问:“蘧先生最近在做什么?”使者回答说:“先生想要减少自己的错误,但未能做到。”使者走了以后,孔子说:“好一位使者啊,好一位使者啊!”
【英译】
Qu Boyu sent an envoy to visit Confucius. Confucius let the envoy sit down and asked: “What has Mr. Que been doing?” The envoy replied: “He wants to reduce his mistakes, but he failed.” The envoy left and Confucius said: “What a nice envoy! What a nice envoy!”
【原文】
14·26 子曰:“不在其位,不谋其政。”曾子曰:“君子思不出其位。”
【白话】
孔子说:“不在那个职位,就不要考虑那个职位上的事情。”曾子说:“君子考虑问题,从来不超出自己的职权范围。”
【英译】
Confucius said: “Without being in the position, just don’t think anything related to the position.” Zeng Ztu said: “Whenever considering something, a gentleman never oversteps his authority.”
【原文】
14·27 子曰:“君子耻其言而过其行。”
【白话】
孔子说:“君子认为说到但没做到是可耻的。”
【英译】
Confucius said: “Gentlemen think it shameful to say something but do nothing.”
【原文】
14·28 子曰:“君子道者三,我无能焉:仁者不忧,知者不惑,勇者不惧。”子贡曰:“夫子自道也。”
【白话】
孔子说:“君子之道有三个方面,我都未能做到:仁德的人不忧愁,聪明的人不迷惑,勇敢的人不畏惧。”子贡说:“这正是老师的自我表述啊!”
【英译】
Confucius said: “Gentlemen’s doctrines include three points which I have realized: a man of humanity never worries anything; a wise man is never perplexed; a brave man never fears anything.” Ztu Gong said: “This is just a self-explanation of yours.”
【原文】
14·29 子贡方人(1)。子曰:“赐也贤乎哉(2)?夫我则不暇。”
【注释】
(1)方人:评论、诽谤别人。
(2)赐也贤乎哉:疑问语气,批评子贡不贤。
【白话】
子贡评论别人的短处。孔子说:“赐啊,你真的就那么贤良吗?我可没有闲工夫去评论别人。”
【英译】
Ztu Gong commented others’ shortcomings. Confucius said: “Ci, are you really nice enough? I have no time to comment others.”
【原文】
14·30 子曰:“不患人之不己知,患其不能也。”
【白话】
孔子说:“不怕别人不了解自己,只怕自己没本事。”
【英译】
Confucius said: “Don’t be afraid that no one understands you. The only thing we should worry about is that you are not capable.”
【原文】
14·31 子曰:“不逆诈(1),不亿(2)不信,抑亦先觉者,是贤乎!”
【注释】
(1)逆:迎。预先猜测。
(2)亿:同“臆”,主观地。例如“臆测”,主观猜测。 此处“臆”即代“臆测”。
【白话】
孔子说:“对于别人的欺诈和谎言,不是凭事先的怀疑和猜测,而是靠事先的觉察来知道的人,这才是贤人。”
【英译】
Confucius said: “Some people know others’ cheat and lie by detecting but not by suspecting and guessing. The sort of people can be considered worthy persons.
【原文】
14·32 微生亩(1)谓孔子曰:“丘,何为是(2)栖栖(3)者与?无乃为佞乎?”孔子曰:“非敢为佞也,疾固(4)也。”
【注释】
(1)微生亩:鲁国人。
(2)是:如此。
(3)栖栖:读“西”,忙碌不安。
(4)疾固:疾,恨。固,固执。痛恨社会顽疾。
【白话】
微生亩对孔子说:“孔丘,你为什么四处奔波、到处游说呢?你不就是要炫耀自己的口才吗?”孔子说:“我不想炫耀口才,只是因为痛恨丑恶的社会现实才不得不如此。”
【英译】
Wei Shengmu said to Confucius: “Kong Qiu, why are you so busy running about and peddling your ideas? You just want to show off your eloquence, do you?” Confucius said: “I don’t want to show off my eloquence. The reason for me to do this is that I hate the social inveterate illness.”
【原文】
14·33 子曰:“骥(1)不称其力,称其德也。”
【注释】
(1)骥:千里马。古代称善跑的马为骥。
【白话】
孔子说:“千里马,人们称赞的不是它的气力,而是它的品德。”
【英译】
Confucius said: “As for winged-steeds, what people praise is not their strength but their morality.”
【原文】
14·34 或曰:“以德报怨,何如?”子曰:“何以报德?以直报怨,以德报德。”
【注释】
(1) 或:有人,某人。
【白话】
有人问:“用恩德报答怨恨行吗?”孔子说:“照你这么说,可该用什么来报答恩德呢?依我看,应该用正直来报答怨恨,用恩德来报答恩德。”
【英译】
Someone asked: “Return good for evil. Is that O.K.?” Confucius said: “If according to your point of view, what we should return for good? I think that we should return honesty for evil, return good for good.”
【原文】
14·35 子曰:“莫我知也夫!”子贡曰:“何为其莫知子也?”子曰:“不怨天,不尤(1)人。下学而上达(2),知我者其天乎!”
【注释】
(1)尤:责怪、怨恨。
(2)下学上达:下学学人事,也就是学一些普通的知识;上达达天命,也就是懂得了一些高深的道理。
【白话】
孔子说:“没有人了解我啊!”子贡说:“怎么能说没有人了解您呢?”孔子说:“我不埋怨天,也不责备人,我学了一些普通的知识,懂得了一些高深的道理。“
【英译】
Confucius said: “No one knows me well!” Ztu Gong said: “How can you say no one knows you well?” Confucius said: “I’ve learned some ordinary knowledge and have understood some profound truth.”
【原文】
14·36 公伯寮(1)愬(2)子路于季孙。子服景伯(3)以告,曰:“夫子固有惑志于公伯寮,吾力犹能肆诸市朝(4)。”子曰:“道之将行也与,命也;道之将废也与,命也。公伯寮其如命何!”
【注释】
(1)公伯寮:姓公伯名寮,字子周,孔子的学生,曾任季氏的家臣。
(2)愬:音义皆同“诉”,告发,诽谤。
(3)子服景伯:鲁国大夫,姓子服名伯,景是他的谥号。
(4)肆诸市朝:古时处死罪人后陈尸示众。
【白话】
公伯寮在季孙氏面前诬蔑子路。子服景伯将此事告诉了孔子,他说:“季孙氏已经被公伯寮的谄言所迷惑,我有能力杀他,并将他陈尸街头。”孔子说:“道能够得到推行,是时运决定的;道得不到推行,也是时运决定的。公伯寮能把时运怎样?”
【英译】
Gongbo Liao spoke ill of Ztu Lu to Ji Sun. Ztufu Jingbo told this matter to Confucius and said: “Ji Sun has been misled by Gongbo Liao’s slander. I have the ability to kill him and make his body displayed in the street.” Confucius said: “If a just cause can be carried out, it depends on luck; if it cannot be carried out, it also depends on luck. How can Gongbo Liao do anything about luck?”
【原文】
14·37 子曰:“贤者辟(1)世,其次辟地,其次辟色,其次辟言。”子曰:“作者七人(2)矣。”
【注释】
(1)辟:同“避”,逃避。
(2)七人:即伯夷、叔齐、虞仲、夷逸、朱张、柳下惠、少连。
【白话】
孔子说:“贤人逃避黑暗的社会,其次逃避动荡的地域,再次逃避鄙视的目光,最次逃避恶毒的谗言。”孔子又说:“这样做的已经有七个人了。”
【英译】
Confucius said: “People of integrity escape from four aspects including dark society, turbulent area, despising eyes, and vicious slanders.” Confucius said again: “There have already been seven people who can do this.”
【原文】
14·38 子路宿于石门(1)。晨门(2)曰:“奚自?”子路曰:“自孔氏。”曰:“是知其不可而为之者与?”
【注释】
(1)石门:地名。鲁国都城的外门。
(2)晨门:早上看守城门的人。
【白话】
子路夜里住在石门,看门人问:“你从哪里来?”子路说:“从孔子那里来。”看门人说:“是那个明知做不到还偏偏要去做的人吗?”
【英译】
Ztu Lu stayed overnight at Stone Door. The door-man asked: “Where are you from?” Ztu Lu said: “From Confucius.” The door-man said: “Is that the man who clearly knows he cannot do but just do it?”
【原文】
14·39 子击磬(1)于卫,有荷蒉(2)而过孔氏之门者,曰:“有心哉,击磬乎!”既而曰:“鄙哉!硁硁(3)乎!莫己知也,斯己而已矣。深则厉(4),浅则揭(5)。”子曰:“果哉!末(6)之难(7)矣。”
【注释】
(1)磬:读“庆”,一种打击乐器的名称。
(2)荷蒉:荷,肩扛。蒉,读“愧”,草筐,肩背着草筐。
(3)硁硁:读“坑坑”,击磬的声音。
(4)深则厉:穿着衣服涉水过河。
(5)浅则揭:提起衣襟涉水过河。“深则厉,浅出揭”是《诗经·卫风·匏有苦叶》的诗句。
(6)末:无。
(7)难:责问。
【白话】
孔子在卫国敲磬,有个背筐的人从门前走过说:“这个击磬的人有心计啊!”一会儿又说:“硁硁的声音不是太庸俗了吗?没人理解没关系,独善其身就是了。好比过河,水深就索性穿着衣服游过去,水浅就撩起衣服趟过去。”孔子说:“说得真干脆,没有什么可以责怪他了。”
【英译】
Staying in the country Wei, Confucius once struck chime stone. A man with a basket on his back passed his door and said: “The chime stone striker really sets his mind on it!” But after a while he said: “This sound is really vulgar, isn’t it? It doesn’t matter that no one can understand you. So long as you can maintain personal integrity during chaotic times, it’s all right. This is just like crossing a river. If the water is deep, you just wade across it with your clothing on. And if shallow, you just wade across it with your hand holding up the hem of your jacket.” Confucius said: “What he said is really straightforward. I cannot blame him for anything.”
【原文】
14·40 子张曰:“书云:‘高宗(1)谅阴(2),三年不言。’何谓也?”子曰:“何必高宗?古之人皆然。君薨(3),百官总己以听于冢宰(4)三年。”
【注释】
(1)高宗:商王武宗。
(2)谅阴:古时天子守丧之称。
(3)薨:读“轰”,古时国君之死。
(4)冢宰:官名,相当于后世的宰相。
【白话】
子张说:“《尚书》上说,‘高宗守丧,三年不谈政事。’这是什么意思?”孔子说:“不仅是高宗,古人都是这样。国君死了,百官三年内都听从宰相安排,各司其职。”
【英译】
Ztu Zhang said: “《The Book Shang Shu》said: ‘In Shang Dynasty, the lord Gao Zong did nothing about government affairs for three years during funeral period.’ What does it mean?” Confucius said: “No only Gao Zong, but all ancient people faithfully adhered to this principle. If a lord died, all officials obeyed orders by the premier and stayed at their respective posts.”
【原文】
14·41 子曰:“上好礼,则民易使也。”
【白话】
孔子说:“领导者尊崇道德规范,群众就容易指挥。
【英译】
Confucius said: “If leaders worship moral standards, the masses are easy to lead.”
【原文】
14·42 子路问君子。子曰:“修己以敬。”曰:“如斯而已乎?”曰:“修己以安人(1)。”曰:“如斯而已乎?”曰:“修己以安百姓(2)。修己以安百姓,尧舜其犹病诸?”
【注释】
(1)安人:人安乐。
(2)安百姓:使老百姓安乐。
【白话】
子路问什么叫君子。孔子说:“提升自己的道德修养水平,随时随地保持恭谨的态度。”子路说:“这样就够了吗?”孔子说:“提升自己的道德修养水平,使他人安乐。”子路说:“这样就够了吗?”孔子说:“提升自己的道德修养水平,使百姓安居乐业。提升自己的道德修养水平,使百姓安居乐业,尧舜不都难于做吗?”
【英译】
Ztu Lu asked about gentlemen. Confucius said: “Raise your own moral level and keep a respectful and attentive attitude at any time and anywhere.” Ztu Lu said: “Is this enough?” Confucius said: “Raise your own moral level and make others to live easily and comfortably.” Ztu Lu asked: “Is this enough?” Confucius said: “Raise your own moral level and make the masses to live and work in peace. Raise your own moral level and make the masses live and work in peace. It’s too difficult even for
【原文】
14·43 原壤(1)夷俟(2)。子曰:“幼而不孙弟(3),长而无述焉,老而不死,是为贼。”以杖叩其胫。
【注释】
(1)原壤:鲁国人,孔子的旧友。他母亲死了,他还大声歌唱,孔子认为这是大逆不道。
(2)夷俟:夷,双腿分开而坐。俟,读“四”,等待。
(3)孙弟:同逊悌,即谦逊,重情义。
【白话】
原壤叉开双腿坐着等待孔子。孔子骂他说:“小时候你不讲礼貌,长大了一事无成,老了又总不死,真是害人精。”说着,用手杖敲他的小腿。
【英译】
With his legs stretching casually, Yuan Rang was waiting for Confucius. Confucius scolded him: “When you were young, you showed no civility to anyone. When you became a grown man, you had nothing accomplished. When you are old now, you don’t die. What a pest you are!”
【原文】
14·44 阙党(1)童子将命(2)。或问之曰:“益者与?”子曰:“吾其居于位(3)也,见其与先生并行也。非求益者也,欲速成者也。”
【注释】
(1)阙党:即阙里,孔子家住的地方。
(2)将命:在宾主之间传言。
(3)居于位:童子与长者同坐。
【白话】
阙里的一个童子,来向孔子传话。有人问孔子:“这是个求上进的孩子吗?”孔子说:“我见他与长辈同坐同行。他不是个要求上进的人,而是个急于求成的人。”
【英译】
A boy in Que Li came to sent words to Confucius. Someone asked Confucius: “Is this a boy who seeks to make progress?” Confucius said: “I saw him sitting and walking together with elders. He is not a boy who seeks to make progress, but a one who is impatient for success.”