July 06, 2007

stupid or not

【第九章】子曰、吾與回言終日、不違、如愚。退兒省其私、亦足以發、回
也不愚。

CHAP. IX. The Master said, 'I have talked with Hui for a
whole day, and he has not made any objection to anything I
said;-- as if he were stupid. He has retired, and I have
examined his conduct when away from me, and found him able
to illustrate my teachings. Hui!-- He is not stupid.'

July 04, 2007

filial piety

【第八章】子夏問孝、子曰、色難、有事、弟子服其勞、有酒食、先生饌、
曾是以為孝乎
CHAP. VIII. Tsze-hsia asked what filial piety was. The
Master said, 'The difficulty is with the countenance. If, when
their elders have any troublesome affairs, the young take the
toil of them, and if, when the young have wine and food, they
set them before their elders, is THIS to be considered filial
piety?'

July 03, 2007

filial piety

【第七章】子游問孝、子曰、今之孝者、是謂能養、至於犬馬、皆能有養、
不敬、何以別乎。
CHAP. VII. Tsze-yu asked what filial piety was. The
Master said, 'The filial piety of now-a-days means the support
of one's parents. But dogs and horses likewise are able to do
something in the way of support;-- without reverence, what is
there to distinguish the one support given from the other?'