第15章 宪问第十四

14-1

宪问耻。子曰：“邦有道，谷；邦无道，谷，耻也。”

A disciple of Confucius enquired what constituted dishonor. Confucius answered! “When there is justice and order in the government of the country, to think only of pay is dishonourable.When there is no justice and order in the government of the country, to think only of pay is also dishonourable.”

【白话译文】

孔子的一位学生（原宪）问什么是可耻。孔子回答：“如果国家政府司法公正严明，政局稳定有序，心里却只想着当官拿俸禄，就是可耻的。而如果国家政府司法混乱，政局动荡不安，却只想着如何当官拿俸禄，同样是可耻的。”

14-2

“克、伐、怨、欲不行焉，可以为仁矣？”子曰：“可以为难矣，仁则吾不知也。”

The same disciple went on to ask, saying: “A man with whom ambition, vanity, envy and selfishness have ceased to act as motives! —may he be considered a moral character?” “What you suggest!” answered Confucius! “may he considered as something difficult to achieve; but I cannot say that it constitutes a moral character.”

【白话译文】

同一位学生（原宪）接着问：“如果一个人不以野心、虚荣、嫉妒和自私作为行动的动力，那么他是否可以称为有道德的人呢？”孔子回答：“这可以说是非常难得的，但这样能否称为有道德，我就不好说了。”

14-3

子曰：“士而怀居，不足以为士矣。”

Confucius remarked! “A gentleman who only thinks of the comforts of life, cannot be a true gentleman.”

【白话译文】

孔子说：“一个留恋安逸生活的人，不能算是真正的绅士。”

14-4

子曰：“邦有道，危言危行；邦无道，危行言孙。”

Confucius remarked! “When there is justice and order in the government of the country, a man may be bold and lofty in the expression of his opinions as well as in his actions. When, however, there is no justice and order in the government of the country, a man may be bold and lofty in his actions, but he should be reserved in the expression of his opinions.”

【白话译文】

孔子说：“当国家政府司法公正严明，政局井然有序时，老百姓在言辞和行动上就显得大胆而高尚。但是当国家政府司法不公，政局混乱不堪时，老百姓在行动上就会显得大胆而傲慢，但是在说话时就应该谨慎。”

14-5

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。”

Confucius remarked! “A man who possesses moral worth will always have something to say worth listening to; but a man who has something to say is not necessarily a man of moral worth. A moral character always has courage; but a man of courage is not necessarily a moral character.”

【白话译文】

孔子说：“有道德价值观的人，他讲的话总是值得听；但是，有话要讲的人，未必是有道德价值观的人。有道德的人总是勇气十足；但是，勇气十足的人却不一定是有道德的人。”

14-6

南宫适问于孔子曰：“羿善射，奡荡舟，俱不得其死然。禹稷躬稼而有天下。”夫子不答。南宫适出。子曰：“君子哉若人！尚德哉若人！”

A disciple of Confucius on one occasion remarked in his presence: “There was a famous man in ancient time who was an excellent marksman in archery, and there was another man famous for his feats of strength: both of these men eventually came to an unnatural end. On the other hand, there were also in ancient time two men who worked in the fields and toiled as husbandmen: both these latter finally came to the government of the Empire.”

Confucius at the time did not say anything in reply. But when the disciple had left, Confucius said: “What a really wise and good man he is! How much he honours moral worth in what he has said!”

【白话译文】

有一次，孔子的一位学生（南宫适）当着孔子的面评论说：“从前，有个非常有名的人（羿[95]）擅长射箭，另一个人（奡[96]）以力大无穷而闻名，但是这两个人最后都不得好死。然而，古代有另外两个人（禹和稷[97]），他们像农夫一样在田间辛勤耕耘，最后他们却得到了天下。”

当时孔子没有说一句话。但是等这位学生（南宫适）出去后，孔子说：“他确实是个聪明而高尚的人啊！他所说的话，体现了他所尊崇的道德价值观。”

14-7

子曰：“君子而不仁者有矣夫，未有小人而仁者也。”

Confucius remarked! “There are wise men who are not moral characters; but a fool is never a moral character.”

【白话译文】

孔子说：“有的聪明人是没有道德的，但是傻子绝对不是有道德的人。”

14-8

子曰：“爱之，能勿劳乎？忠焉，能勿诲乎？”

Confucius remarked! “Where there is affection, exertion is made easy; where there is disinterestedness, instruction will not be neglected.”

【白话译文】

孔子说：“如果有影响力，发挥作用就很容易；如果公正无私，教诲就不会被忽视。”

14-9

子曰：“为命，裨谌草创之，世叔讨论之，行人子羽修饰之，东里子产润色之。”

Confucius, speaking of the great merits of the State documents of a certain State of the time, remarked: “In the preparation of these State documents, one minister would first sketch out the draft; another would then discuss the several points; another minister after that would make the necessary corrections; and finally, another minister would polish the style and give it a last finishing touch.”

【白话译文】

孔子在谈及当时一个国家（郑国）政府公文的最大优点时说：“在准备这些政府公文的过程中，都是先由一位部长（裨谌）拟出草稿，另一位部长（世叔）就其中几点提出讨论意见，再由另一位部长（子羽）做出必要的修改，然后由一位部长（子产）做最后的润色，并进行定稿。”

14-10

或问子产。子曰：“惠人也。”问子西。曰：“彼哉！彼哉！”问管仲。曰：“人也。夺伯氏骈邑三百，饭疏食，没齿无怨言。”

Someone on one occasion asked Confucius'opinion of the character of a famous statesman (the Colbert of the time）. Confucius answered! “He was a generous man.”

The enquirer asked of the character of another notorious statesman. “Why, that man! That man! Why speak of him at all?”

The enquirer finally asked of the character of Kuan Chung (the Bismarck of the time）.Confucius answered! “As a man he was able to take possession of an estate, confiscated from the head of an old noble family in the country, in such a way that the former owner, although he was thus obliged to live in great poverty to the end of his days, yet had nothing to say in complaint against Kuan Chung.”

【白话译文】

有一次，有人问孔子某位著名的政治家（子产，相当于那个时期的柯尔贝尔）是一个怎样的人。孔子回答：“他是个慷慨大方的人。”

这个人又问另一位臭名昭著的政治家（子西，即公孙夏，郑国贵族）是个什么样的人。孔子说：“那个人呀！那个人呀！为什么要提他呢？”

这个人又问管仲（相当于当时的俾斯麦）的为人。孔子说：“他是一个能人。他可以把国内一个贵族世家首领（齐国大夫伯偃）在骈邑的土地没收并据为己有，让那个贵族因为失去土地而至死都生活在困窘中，但是那个贵族直到去世也没有说过一句怨言。”

14-11

子曰：“贫而无怨难，富而无骄易。”

Confucius remarked! “To be poor without complaining is not easy; but it is easy to be rich without being proud.”

【白话译文】

孔子说：“虽然穷困却没有丝毫怨言，是很难做到的；虽然富裕却不傲慢，是很容易做到的。”

14-12

子曰：“孟公绰为赵魏老则优，不可以为滕薛大夫。”

Confucius remarked of a public character of the time: “As an officer in the retinue of a great noble, he would he excellent, but he is not fit to be councilor of State even in a small principality.”

【白话译文】

孔子评价当时一位公众人物（孟公绰[98]）时说：“他作为大贵族的随从官（孟公绰曾担任晋国赵氏、魏氏的家臣），可能会很优秀，但是他不适合在一个侯国做议员，即使是在一个小侯国。”

14-13

子路问成人。子曰：“若臧武仲之知，公绰之不欲，卞庄子之勇，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，久要不忘平生之言，亦可以为成人矣。”

A disciple of Confucius enquired what constituted a perfect character. Confucius, referring to the different famous known men of the time, said: “A perfect character should have the intellect of such another man; the disinterestedness of such another man; the gallantry of such another; the accomplishments of such another man.In addition to those qualities, if he would culture himself by the study of the arts and institutions of the civilized world, he would then be considered a perfect character.”

“But!” Confucius went on to say! “nowadays it is not even necessary to be all that in order to be a perfect character. One who, when he sees a personal advantage, can think of what is right and, in the presence of personal danger, is ready to give up his life; and who, under long-continued trying circumstances, does not belie the professions of his life: —such a man may also be considered a perfect character.”

【白话译文】

孔子的一位学生（子路）问孔子，怎样才算是完美的人。孔子提到当时几位知名人士，说：“一个完美的人，要具有这样一个人（臧武仲[99]）的智慧，具有另一位（孟公绰）的无私，具有这个人（卞庄子[100]）的勇敢，以及这个人（冉求）的多才多艺，也就是应该具备上述这些品质。除了这些品质，如果他再学习文明社会的艺术和法律知识，进行自我提升，那么就可以称为一个完美的人。”

“但是，”孔子继续说，“在当今社会，甚至没必要具备所有的品质，也可以成为一个完美的人。当看到个人利益就能思考义的要求，当出现个人安危就随时准备牺牲自我，长期处于艰难困苦仍不忘记平日的誓言，这样的人也可以称为完美的人。”

14-14

子问公叔文子于公明贾曰：“信乎，夫子不言，不笑，不取乎？”公明贾对曰：“以告者过也。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？”

Confucius on one occasion enquired about a teacher from one of his disciples, saying: “Is it true that your teacher seldom speaks and seldom laughs; and that he never accepts anything from anybody?” “They are mistaken who say that!” replied the teacher's disciple! “My teacher speaks when it is time to speak: therefore people never lose patience when he does speak. He laughs when he is really delighted; therefore people never lose patience when he does laugh.He accepts when it is consistent with right to accept: therefore people never lose patience when he accepts anything.” Confucius then said! “So! Is it really so with him.”

【白话译文】

有一次，孔子向一位学生（公明贾）问他的老师（公叔文子[101]）的情况，说：“听说你的老师很少说话，也很少笑，从不接受别人的任何东西，是真的吗？”

“这是那个向您说这话的人的错误，”这位学生（公明贾）回答，“我的老师该说话的时候才说话，因此不管他说什么，大家都会注意听。他确实高兴的时候就会笑，因此他笑的时候，大家绝不会不耐烦。当他有权接受礼物的时候，他便接受，因此当他接受任何东西的时候，大家绝不会讨厌他。”

孔子说：“原来是这样啊！他确实是这样吗？”

14-15

子曰：“臧武仲以防求为后于鲁，虽曰不要君，吾不信也。”

Confucius, speaking of a powerful noble of his native State, remarked! “He took possession of an important military town when sending a message to the prince to beg him to appoint a successor to his own family estate. Although it is said that on that occasion he did not use intimidation with the prince, his master, I do not believe it.”

【白话译文】

孔子提到他的故国（鲁国）一位有权势的贵族（臧武仲）时说：“他凭借这个军事重镇（防邑），然后捎信给国君，要求国君为自己家的领地指派一位继承人。尽管有人说他不是要挟国君——他的主人，但我根本不相信。”

14-16

子曰：“晋文公谲而不正，齐桓公正而不谲。”

Confucius, speaking of the characters of the two most famous princes of his time, remarked: “One (the Frederic the Great of the time) was crafty and without honour. The other (Wilhelm I of Germany) was a man of honour and without any craftiness in his character.”

【白话译文】

谈到当时最有名的两位国君（晋文公和齐桓公[102]）的性格特征，孔子说：“一个（晋文公，相当于当时的弗雷德里克大帝[103]）狡诈而缺乏诚信，另一个（齐桓公，相当于德国的威廉一世[104]）诚信而无任何狡诈。”

14-17

子路曰：“桓公杀公子纠，召忽死之，管仲不死。曰：未仁乎？”子曰：“桓公九合诸侯，不以兵车，管仲之力也。如其仁，如其仁。”

A disciple, speaking of the famous statesman Kuan Chung (the Bismarck of the time），remarked! “Kuan Chung and another officer were given charge, as tutors, of the elder of two princes.When the younger of the two princes, in order to succeed to the throne, slew his elder brother, the other officer preferred to die with his pupil and charge, but Kuan Chung did not die.Did not Kuan Chung in this show that he was not a moral character?”

Confucius answered! “It was due to the great services of Kuan Chung that the prince, his master, was able to call together the princes of the Empire to a Congress which prevented a general war during the time. What has one to say against the moral character—what has one to say against the moral character of a man like that?”*

[The Berlin Congress of the time. See note 17，chapter III, section 22（p.92）.]

【白话译文】

孔子的一位学生（子路）谈到著名政治家管仲（相当于当时的俾斯麦）时说：“管仲和另一位官员（召忽[105]）同为国君大儿子（公子纠[106]）的老师，年轻的王子（齐桓公）为了获得王位，杀害了哥哥（公子纠），另一位官员（召忽）以死殉职，而管仲却没有选择自杀。这样看来，管仲算不上是有道德的人吧？”

孔子回答：“他的国君（齐桓公）多次召集帝国的王侯大会，没有使用武力，避免了战争。这都是管仲的伟大贡献啊。像他这样的人，怎么能说没有道德品质呢？”*

（见第三章第二十二节备注。）

14-18

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。微管仲，吾其被发左衽矣。岂若匹夫匹妇之为谅也，自经于沟渎而莫之知也。”

Another disciple then remarked! “But Kuan Chung not only did not die with the elder prince, his pupil and charge; he even served the younger prince, the very man who murdered his pupil and charge. Did he not in this show that he was not a moral character?”

Confucius answered! “Kuan Chung as Prime Minister enabled the prince, his master, to exercise Imperialism and give it peace. Down to the present day the people are enjoying the benefits due to his great services. But for Kuan Chung we should now be living like savages.He was certainly not like your faithful lover and his sweetheart among the common people, who, in order to prove their constancy, go and drown themselves in a ditch, nobody taking any notice of them.”

【白话译文】

另一位学生（子贡）说：“管仲不能算是有道德的人吧？小王子（公子小白，即后来的齐桓公）杀了大王子、他的学生（公子纠），他不但没有随公子纠一起去死——这本来是他的义务——反而归顺了小王子（担任齐桓公的宰相）。凭这一点，难道不能说明他是一个不道德的人吗？”

孔子回答：“管仲作为首相，协助国君（齐桓公）治理国家，称霸诸侯，使天下获得了安定和平。至今百姓依然享受着管仲的丰功伟业所带来的好处。如果没有管仲，恐怕我们现在还像野蛮人一样生活。难道要他像普通百姓那样对爱人忠贞不渝，为守小节而跑到水沟里自杀，却不被人知道吗？”

14-19

公叔文子之臣大夫僎与文子同升诸公。子闻之，曰：“可以谓文矣。”

A noble of a certain State (who after his death was given the title of Beauclerc），when he was called to office in the government, chose for his colleague an officer who had been serving in his retinue.Confucius, remarking on this, said: “Such a man certainly deserves the title of'Beauclerc'.”

【白话译文】

有个侯国的贵族（公叔文子）死后获得了“文”的谥号——意思是勤奋的人——他在政府担任公职时，任命了一个从前在他家当家臣的人当官。孔子评价这件事情说：“像文子这样的人，当然无愧于‘文’的谥号。”

14-20

子言卫灵公之无道也。康子曰：“夫如是，奚而不丧？”孔子曰：“仲叔圉治宾客，祝治宗庙，王孙贾治军旅，夫如是，奚其丧？”

Confucius on one occasion was commenting on the scandalous life of the prince*of a certain State, when somebody remarked! “If he was such a man—how did he not lose his throne?” “That was because!” replied Confucius! “he had great and able men to carry on the different departments of his administration.”

（"The Charles Ⅱ of the time:

“A merry monarch, scandalous and poor.”

His wife is the notorious princess mentioned in chapter Ⅵ，section 26.）

【白话译文】

有一次，孔子评论某个侯国的国君（卫灵公*）生活奢靡，有人（季康子）说：“既然他是这样的人，又怎么会不失去王位呢？”

孔子回答：“这是因为他有仲叔圉接待宾客，祝负责宗庙祭祀，王孙贾统领军队。他有这样一群伟大而能干的人管理国家各部门的工作，怎么会失去王位和国家呢？”

（卫灵公相当于那个时代的查理二世[107]，他是个生活荒淫无度，嬉戏作乐的君主。他的妻子就是第六章第二十六节提到的那位臭名昭著的王妃南子。）

14-21

子曰：“其言之不怍，则为之也难。”

Confucius remarked! “From a man who is not bashful in his talk, it is difficult to expect much in the way of action.”

【白话译文】

孔子说：“如果一个人说话恬不知耻，那么指望他能采取实际行动就非常困难了。”

14-22

陈成子弑简公。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。”孔子曰：“以吾从大夫之后，不敢不告也。君曰‘告夫三子’者。”之三子告，不可。孔子曰：“以吾从大夫之后，不敢不告也。”

On one occasion, having heard that the Prime Minister of a neighbouring State had murdered the prince, his master, Confucius, after purifying himself as when going to worship, presented himself before the prince of his own State, and said: “The minister of the neighbouring State has murdered the prince, his master. I beg that steps to bring him to a summary punishment may be at once undertaken.” But the prince only answered: “Go and tell our ministers in the government.”

Confucius then went out, saying as he went: “As I have the honour to sit in the State council of the country, I have thought it my duty to bring this to the notice of my prince; but he, my prince, now tells me to go and inform the ministers.” Confucius accordingly went to see the ministers then in power, and told them what he had said to the prince; but the ministers also would not do anything in the matter. Confucius then said: “As I have the honour to be a member of the State council of the country, I have done my duty in bringing this to your notice.”

【白话译文】

有一次，孔子听说邻国的首相（陈成子[108]）杀死了自己的国君（齐简公），便沐浴更衣，准备上朝。见到国君（鲁哀公）后，孔子报告说：“邻国的首相杀害了自己的国君，请立即出兵讨伐他。”但是国君（鲁哀公）回答说：“你去告知那三位部长（季孙、孟孙、叔孙）吧。”

孔子退出来后，边走边说：“因为我曾有幸担任过国家公职，我原想把这件事报告给国君是我的责任，而国君却说‘去告知那三位部长吧’！”于是孔子按照吩咐，前去向三位掌权的部长报告了这件事，但是三位部长不同意出兵。孔子又说：“因为我曾有幸担任过国家公职，我只是履行自己的职责，把这件事报告给你们！”

14-23

子路问事君。子曰：“勿欺也，而犯之。”

A disciple of Confucius enquired how one should behave towards the prince, his master. Confucius answered! “Do not impose upon him and, if necessary, withstand him to his face.”

【白话译文】

孔子的一位学生（子路）问应该如何事奉自己的国君。孔子说：“不能欺瞒他，但是若有必要，可以直言劝谏。”

14-24

子曰：“君子上达，小人下达。”

Confucius remarked! “A wise and good man looks upwards in his aspirations; a fool looks downwards.”

【白话译文】

孔子说：“聪明而高尚的人志存高远，愚蠢的人只看眼前。”

14-25

子曰：“古之学者为己，今之学者为人。”

Confucius remarked! “Men in old times educated themselves for their own sakes. Men now educate themselves to impress others.”

【白话译文】

孔子说：“古代的人学习是为了提高自己，而现在的人学习是为了给别人看。”

14-26

蘧伯玉使人于孔子，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！”

An officer of a certain State, who was an old friend of Confucius, sent a messenger with a message of enquiry to him. Confucius, after making the messenger sit down with him, said to him: “What has your master been doing?” “My master!” replied the messenger! “has been trying to reduce the number of his shortcomings without, however, being able to do so.”

When the messenger had left, Confucius exclaimed! “What a messenger! What a messenger!”

【白话译文】

一个侯国的官员（蘧伯玉[109]）是孔子的老朋友，他派信使去问候孔子。孔子让信使坐在他旁边，然后问：“你的主人最近在做什么？”信使回答：“我的主人一直在努力减少自身的错误，但是未能做到。”

信使离开后，孔子大声说：“多好的信使呀！多好的信使呀！”

14-27

子曰：“不在其位，不谋其政。”

Confucius remarked! “A man who is not in office in the government of a country should not give advice as to its policy.”*

（Repetition of chapter Ⅷ，section 14.）

【白话译文】

孔子说：“不在国家的政府当官，就不应当对政策提出意见。”*

（与第八章第十四节重复。）

14-28

曾子曰：“君子思不出其位。”

A disciple of Confucius remarked! “A wise man should never occupy his thoughts with anything outside of his position.”

【白话译文】

孔子的一位学生（曾参）说：“聪明人思考问题，从来不会超出自己的职务范围。”

14-29

子曰：“君子耻其言而过其行。”

Confucius remarked! “A wise man is ashamed to say much; he prefers to do more.”

【白话译文】

孔子说：“聪明人耻于夸夸其谈，而是更喜欢多干实事。”

14-30

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。”

Confucius once remarked! “A wise and good man may be known in three ways which I am not able to show in my own person. As a moral man he is free from anxiety; as a man of understanding he is free from doubt; and as a man of courage he is free from fear.”

A disciple, who heard what Confucius said, then remarked! “That is only what you say of yourself, sir.”

【白话译文】

有一次，孔子说：“聪明而高尚的人可能在三个方面闻名于世，但是这三个方面我都未能做到：作为道德高尚的人，应当无忧无虑；作为通情达理的人，不应当有重重疑惑；作为英勇无畏的人，不应当有所畏惧。”

一位学生（子贡）听到孔子的话后，说：“这正是老师在表述自己啊！”

14-31

子贡方人。子曰：“赐也贤乎哉？夫我则不暇。”

A disciple of Confucius was fond of criticising men and making comparisons. Confucius said to him! “You must be a very superior man to be able to do that.For myself, I have no time for it.”

【白话译文】

孔子的一位学生（子贡）喜欢批评别人并进行比较。孔子对他说：“你就真的那么贤能，有资格去评论别人吗？而对于我来说，可没时间对别人品头论足。”

14-32

子曰：“不患人之不己知，患其不能也。”

Confucius remarked! “Be not concerned that men do not know you; be concerned that you have no ability.”

【白话译文】

孔子说：“不用担心别人不了解自己，而是要担心自己没有能力。”

14-33

子曰：“不逆诈，不亿不信，抑亦先觉者，是贤乎！”

Confucius remarked! “A man who does not anticipate deceit nor imagine untrustworthiness, but who can readily detect their presence, must be a very superior man.”

【白话译文】

孔子说：“不事先怀疑别人欺诈的人，也不会无端猜测别人的不诚实，但是（别人一旦有诈）却能及早发觉，这样的人一定是个非常了不起的人！”

14-34

微生亩谓孔子曰：“丘，何为是栖栖者与？无乃为佞乎？”孔子曰：“非敢为佞也，疾固也。”

A practical character of the time said once to Confucius! “What do you mean by rambling about with your talk? I am afraid you are also but a self-seeking good talker.” “I do not wish!” replied Confucius! “to be a good talker; but I hate narrow-minded bigotry in men.”

【白话译文】

有一次，当时一个很现实的人（微生亩[110]）对孔子说：“你为什么这样四处游说呢？我想你也就是一个自私的人，不过想到处展现你的口才和善辩吧！”孔子说：“我并不想做能言善辩的人，但是我不喜欢那些心胸狭窄、固执己见的人。”

14-35

子曰：“骥不称其力，称其德也。”

Confucius remarked! “A good horse is considered so, not because of its mere brute strength, but because of its moral qualities.”

【白话译文】

孔子说：“千里马之所以值得称赞，不是因为它仅有力气，而是因为它的优秀品性。”

14-36

或曰：“以德报怨，何如？”子曰：“何以报德？以直报怨，以德报德。”

Someone on one occasion enquired of Confucius, saying: “What do you say of requiting injury with kindness?” Confucius replied! “How will you then requite kindness? Requite injury with justice and kindness with kindness.”

【白话译文】

有一次，有人问孔子：“用恩德来报答怨恨，您怎么看？”孔子回答：“那么，你用什么来报答恩德呢？应该用正直的行为来回报怨恨，用恩德来回报恩德。”

14-37

子曰：“莫我知也夫！”子贡曰：“何为其莫知子也？”子曰：“不怨天，不尤人。下学而上达，知我者其天乎！”

Confucius on one occasion remarked! “Ah! there is no one who understands me.” Thereupon a disciple asked! “What do you mean, sir, in saying that no one understands you?” Confucius then answered! “I do not repine against God, nor do I complain of men. My studies are among lowly things; but my thoughts penetrate the sublime.Ah! There is perhaps only God who understands me.”

【白话译文】

有一次，孔子说：“啊！没有人了解我呀！”于是，一位学生（子贡）问：“老师，您说没有人了解您，是什么意思？”孔子回答：“我不是在埋怨上天，也不是在抱怨别人。我通过学习平常的知识，理解了其中的哲理，但是我的思想穿越了顶点。哦！或许只有上天能理解我！”

14-38

公伯寮诉子路于季孙。子服景伯以告，曰：“夫子固有惑志于公伯寮，吾力犹能肆诸市朝。”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！”

A man having on one occasion slandered Confucius and his disciple, the intrepid Chung Yu, to a noble of the Court, somebody informed Chung Yu of it. Chung Yu afterwards, in speaking of it to Confucius, said! “My Lord—is being led astray by that man; but I am strong enough to exterminate that man and expose his carcase on the marketplace.” Upon which Confucius said! “Whether or not I shall succeed in carrying out my teaching among men, depends upon the will of God.What can that man do against the will of God?”

【白话译文】

有一次，一个人（公伯寮[111]）在贵族（季孙氏）面前诽谤孔子和他的学生、勇猛的仲由（子路）。有人（子服景伯[112]）把这件事告诉了仲由。随后，仲由又把这事告诉了孔子，说：“我的主人（季孙氏）被那个人（公伯寮）迷惑了，但是我有足够的力气杀死他（公伯寮），并让他曝尸街头。”孔子听了说：“我在人们中间推广仁爱教育是否能成功，一切都取决于天命。那个人（公伯寮）又能拿天命怎样呢？你没必要去那样做。”

14-39

子曰：“贤者辟世，其次辟地，其次辟色，其次辟言。”

Confucius remarked on one occasion: “Men of real moral worth now retire from the world altogether. Some of less degree of worth avoid or retire from certain countries.Some of still less degree of worth retire as soon as they are looked upon with disfavor.Some of the least degree of worth retire when they are told to do so.”

【白话译文】

有一次，孔子说：“现在真正有道德价值观的人躲避动荡，彻底从社会隐退了；道德价值观稍差一点的人也不去某些侯国，或者离开了某些侯国；道德价值观再差一点的人一旦感觉别人脸色不好也隐退了；而道德价值观最低的人一旦听到不堪入耳的言辞，也隐退了。”

14-40

子曰：“作者七人矣。”

Confucius went on to say! “I know of seven men who have written books.”*

（We here venture to translate the word 作 as “to write books and propound theories.” The great Chinese commentator gives up this passage, saying that he does not understand the reference.）

【白话译文】

孔子又说：“我知道有七个人（伯夷、叔齐、虞仲、夷逸、朱张、柳下惠、少连）已经在著书立说了。”*

（这里我们冒险把“作”译为“著书立说”。伟大的中国评论家并未对此做出解释，因为无法理解其含义。[113]）

14-41

子路宿于石门。晨门曰：“奚自？”子路曰：“自孔氏。”曰：“是知其不可而为之者与？”

A disciple of Confucius, the intrepid Chung Yu, had on one occasion to pass a night before the gate of a city. The keeper of the gate, on seeing him, asked! “Where are you from, sir?” “I am from Confucius!” replied Chung Yu. “Oh!” said the other! “isn't it he who knows the impracticalness of the times, and is yet trying to do something?”*

（"Men of real worth in Confucius'time all retired from the world: and in order to earn an honest livelihood took to mean employments, such as here that of a gatekeeper. In Europe, the world-famous philosopher Spinoza took to glass-grinding! ）

【白话译文】

孔子的学生、勇猛的仲由（子路）曾在城门口过夜。守门人看见后问：“你从哪儿来的？”仲由说：“我从孔子那儿来。”守门人说：“噢！就是那个明知无法做到，却还执意去做的人吗？”*

（在孔子生活的那个时代，真正有价值观的人全部从社会隐退；为了过上平静的生活，这些人会从事卑微的工作，例如这里的守门人。在欧洲，世界闻名的哲学家斯宾诺莎[114]就做研磨玻璃的工作。）

14-42

子击磬于卫。有荷蒉而过孔氏之门者，曰：“有心哉，击磬乎！”既而曰：“鄙哉！硁硁乎！莫己知也，斯己而已矣。‘深则厉，浅则揭。’”子曰：“果哉！末之难矣。”

Confucius was on one occasion playing upon a musical instrument when a man carrying a basket passed the door of the house. “Ah!” said the man on hearing the sound of the music. “He has his heart full, the musician who is playing there!” After a while, he said! "How contemptible to go on thrumming like that when nobody takes any notice of you: you should stop!

"You must swim over when the water is high!

But in low water you may'paidle'*and keep dry."

On hearing what the man said, Confucius remarked: “That certainly shows determination; but it is not difficult.”*

（ “Paidle” -Scotch for “wade!” “We twa hae paidl't in the burn.”

That is, to leave the world in contempt and disgust.）

【白话译文】

有一次，正当孔子在击打一种乐器（磬）的时候，有个人扛着筐子从门前经过。“啊！”听到音乐，这个人赞叹道，“这个击磬的人真是心事满怀呀！”过了一会儿，那个人又说：“发出硁硁的声响，真让人看不起！没有人会在意你，你还是停下来吧。《诗》云：‘水深就穿着衣服蹚过去，水浅就撩起衣服走过去。’”*

听到那个人这么说话，孔子说：“说得可真干脆，做起来也并不难。”*

（Paidle! 苏格兰方言“跋涉”——我们在煎熬中跋涉。

用蔑视且憎恨的态度离开这个世界。）

14-43

子张曰：“《书》云：‘高宗谅阴，三年不言。’何谓也？”子曰：“何必高宗？古之人皆然。君薨，百官总己以听于冢宰三年。”

A disciple of Confucius enquired of him, saying! “What is meant when the Book of Records says that an ancient Emperor while observing the period of Imperial mourning, keep silence for three years?”

Confucius answered! “That was the rule not only in the case of that particular Emperor: it was a general rule with all princes of antiquity. When the sovereign died, for three years all public functionaries received their orders from the Chief Minister.”

【白话译文】

孔子的一位学生（子张）问道：“《尚书》中记载，古代一位帝王（殷朝的高宗）在帝国服丧期间，三年不谈论政事，这是什么意思？”

孔子回答：“这不仅仅是高宗时特有的事情，古代所有帝王都遵守这一礼法。当国君死后，三年之内，朝廷百官各尽其职，听候宰相的命令。”

14-44

子曰：“上好礼，则民易使也。”

Confucius remarked! “When the rulers encourage education and good manners, the people are easily amenable to government.”

【白话译文】

孔子说：“如果统治者鼓励教育和良好行为，那么百姓就会很容易服从管理。”

14-45

子路问君子。子曰：“修己以敬。”曰：“如斯而已乎？”曰：“修己以安人。”曰：“如斯而已乎？”曰：“修己以安百姓。修己以安百姓，尧舜其犹病诸？”

A disciple of Confucius enquired what constituted a wise and good man.

Confucius answered! “A wise and good man is one who sets himself seriously to order his conversation aright.” “Is that all?” asked the disciple. “Yes!” replied Confucius! “he wants to order his conversation aright for the happiness of others.” “Is that all?” asked the disciple again. “Yes!” replied Confucius! “he wants to order his conversation aright for the happiness of the world; and, judged by that, even the great ancient Emperors felt their shortcomings.”

【白话译文】

孔子的一位学生（子路）问怎样做才算是聪明而高尚的人。

孔子回答：“聪明而高尚的人谈吐优雅，举止得体。”“这样就够了吗？”学生（子路）问。孔子回答：“是的，他希望自己的谈吐合乎礼法，并让其他人高兴。”“这样就够了吗？”学生（子路）又问。孔子回答：“是的。他希望自己的谈吐合乎礼法，让周围的人高兴，而且以他的言谈举止作为标准的判断；那么，即使是古代伟大的帝王（尧和舜），也会自叹不如。”

14-46

原壤夷俟。子曰：“幼而不孙弟，长而无述焉，老而不死，是为贼。”以杖叩其胫。

A worthless man, well known to Confucius, was on one occasion squatting on his heels, and did not rise up when Confucius passed by him. Confucius then said to him: “A willful man and a bad citizen in your youth, in manhood you have done nothing to distinguish yourself, and now you are dishonouring your old age: such a man is called a rascal!” With that, Confucius lifted his staff and hit him on the shanks.

【白话译文】

有个毫无价值观的人（原壤），孔子非常熟悉，有一次他叉开双腿坐着，孔子从旁边经过，他也没有站起来。孔子就骂他说：“你年轻的时候就胡作非为，品德败坏，长大后也没取得什么杰出成就，现在老了也没什么光彩事。像你这样的人，简直是个害人精！”说着，孔子举起手杖敲他的小腿。

14-47

阙党童子将命。或问之曰：“益者与？”子曰：“吾见其居于位也，见其与先生并行也。非求益者也，欲速成者也。”

A youth of a certain place was employed by Confucius in his house to answer the door and introduce visitors. Someone remarked to Confucius! “I suppose he has improved in his education.” “No!” replied Confucius! “I have observed him sitting where a youth of his age should not sit, and walking side by side with people who are his seniors.He is not one who seeks to improve his education; he is only one who is in a great hurry to become a grown-up man.”

【白话译文】

孔子在家里雇佣某地的一个年轻人，负责给孔子传话引导宾客。有人问孔子：“他在学问上很有进步吧？”孔子回答：“不。我看到他坐在只有成年人才能坐的地方，又看到他同年长的人肩并肩走在一起。他不是积极好学的人，而只是急于求成的人。”