Classic Pieces (4) - The Analects

【 论语原文选段之一 】 学而时习之

子曰：“学而时习之，不亦说乎？有朋自远方来，不亦乐乎？人不知而不愠，不亦君子乎？”

The Master said, To learn and at due times to repeat what one has learnt, is that not after all a pleasure? That friends should come to one from afar, is this not after all delightful? To remain unsoured even though one's merits are unrecognized by others, is that not after all what is expected of a gentleman?

本段今译：孔子说：“学了知识并且经常复习，不也是令人愉快的事吗？有志同道合的人从远方来，不也是值得高兴的事吗？别人不了解自己，但自己不恼怒，这不也是君子的风度吗？”

【 论语原文选段之二 】 三省吾身

曾子曰：“吾日三省吾身：为人谋而不忠乎？与朋友交而不信乎？传不习乎？”

Master Tseng said, Every day I examine myself on these three points: in acting on behalf of others, have I always been loyal to their interests? In intercourse with my friends, have I always been true to my word? Have I failed to repeat the precepts that have been handed down to me?

本段今译： 曾子说：“我每天都再三反身自己：为别人出主意有不真心的情况吗？与朋友交往有不讲信用的情况吗？老师传授的知识复习和练习了吗？”

【 论语原文选段之三 】 和为贵

有子曰：“礼之用，和为贵。先王之道，斯为美，小大由之。有所不行，知和而和，不以礼节之，亦不可行也。”

Master Yu said, In the usages of ritual it is harmony that is prized; the Way of the Former Kings from this got its beauty. Both small matters and great depend upon it. If things go amiss, he who knows the harmony will be able to attune them. But if harmony itself is not modulated by ritual, things will still go amiss.

本段今译：有子说：“礼的实行，以达到人们和谐相处为可贵。过去圣王治国之道的好处就在这里，无论大事小事都以和谐为准。但是也有行不通的地方，只知道要和谐，而一味地追求和谐，不用礼来节制，也是行不通的。”

【 论语原文选段之四 】 三十而立

子曰：“吾十有五而志于学，三十而立，四十而不惑，五十而知天命，六十而耳顺，七十而从心所欲，不逾矩。”

The Master said, At fifteen I set my heart upon learning. At thirty, I had planted my feet firm upon the ground. At forty, I no longer suffered from perplexities. At fifty, I knew what were the biddings of Heaven. At sixty, I heard them with docile ear. At seventy, I could follow the dictates of my own heart; for what I desired no longer overstepped the boundaries of right.

本段今译：孔子说：“我十五岁立志学习；三十岁立身处世站稳了脚跟；四十岁时明白各种事理而不迷惑；五十岁时懂得天命；六十岁时对别人的话能辨别是非曲直；七十岁时能随心所欲而不越出规矩。”

【 论语原文选段之五 】 身正令行

子曰：“其身正，不令而行；其身不正，虽令不从。”

The Master said, If the ruler himself is upright all will go well even though he does not give orders. But if he himself is not upright, even though he gives orders, they will not be obeyed.