Verse 2-Analects of Confucius Chapter 16

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Verse 2 of Analects of Confucius Chapter 16

English: Confucius said:"When the kingdom is in order, rites, music and military conquests are initiated by the ruler. When the kingdom is in chaos, rites, music and military conquests are initiated by the lords. When initiated by the lord, a dynasty rarely last beyond ten generations. When initiated by major officials of lords, a dynasty rarely last beyond five generations. When initiated by officials to major officials, a dynasty rarely last beyond three generations. Thus when the kingdom is in order, rulership is not with the officials. When the kingdom is in order, the people will not congregate and talk bad about the government."

Modern: 孔子说：“天下有道，则礼制、音乐和征伐都出自于天子；天下无道，则礼制、音乐和征伐都出自于诸侯。由诸侯发号施令，大约十世内，很少有不丧失政权的。如果由大夫发号施令，大约五世内，很少有不丧失政权的。由大夫的家臣发号施令，大约三世内，很少有不丧失政权的。天下有道，政权便不会落在官员手中；天下有道，百姓便不会非议。”

Original: 孔子曰：“天下有道，则礼乐征伐自天子出；天下无道，则礼乐征伐自诸侯出。自诸侯出，盖十世希不失矣；自大夫出，五世希不失矣；陪臣执国命，三世希不失矣。天下有道，则政不在大夫；则天下有道，则庶人不议。”

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