Verse 10-Analects of Confucius Chapter 11

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Verse 10 of Analects of Confucius Chapter 11

English: Yan Yuan just passed away, Confucius' disciples wish to give him an elaborate funeral. Confucius said:"No, please do not." They went ahead gave him an elaborate funeral. Confucius said:"Yan Hui looked upon me as a father, but alas I was not able to look upon him as a son. It is not that I do not want, but it is due to these disciples."

Modern: 颜渊死去，孔子的学生们想给于厚葬。孔子说：“不可以。” 但学生们还是给于厚葬了。孔子说：“颜渊视我为父亲，我却不能视如同儿子。不是我不想，而是因为这些弟子。”

Original: 颜渊死，门人欲厚葬之，子曰：“不可。”门人厚葬之。子曰：“回也视予犹父也，予不得视犹子也。非我也，夫二三子也！”

Explanation: Confucius think it is improper to have burials that are beyond one's mean. He did not do an elaborate one for his son.

孔子认为办丧礼，应量力而行，不宜过份铺张。他没有厚葬他自己的儿子。

Application: