Verse 25-Analects of Confucius Chapter 11
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Verse 25 of Analects of Confucius Chapter 11
English: When Zi Lu, Zeng Xi, Ran You and Gong-Xi Hua were seated in attendance, Confucius said:"Do not feel constrained simply because I am a senior than you are. Now you are in the habit of saying, "My abilities are not appreciated," but if someone did appreciate your abilities, do tell me how you would go about things." Zi Lu promptly answered, 'If I were to administer a large state, situated between powerful neighbours, troubled by armed invasions and plagued by natural disasters, I could, within three years, give the people courage and a sense of morals." The Master smiled. "Ran You, what about you?" "If I were to administer an area measuring sixty or seventy li square, or even fifty or sixty li square, I could, within three years, make the population affluent. As to the rites and music, I would leave that to better able gentleman." "Gong Xi Hua, how about you?" "I do not say that I already have the ability, but I am ready to learn. On ceremonial occasions in the ancestral temple or in diplomatic gatherings, I should like to assist as a minor official in charge of protocol, properly dressed in my ceremonial cap and robes." "Zeng Xi, how about you?" After a few dying notes came the final chord, and then he stood up from his lute. "I differ from the other three in my choice." Confucius said:"What harm is there in that? After all each man is stating what he has set his heart upon." "In late spring, wearing spring clothes, I would like, together with five or six friends and six or seven kids, to go bathing in the River Yi and enjoy the breeze on the Rain Altar, and then to go home chanting poetry." Confucius let out a deep sigh and said:" 'I am all in favour of Zeng Xi." When the three left, Zeng Xi stayed behind. He said:"What do you think of what the other three said?" "They were only stating what they had set their hearts upon." "Why did you smile at Zi Lu?" "It is by the rites, that a state is administered, but in the way he spoke Zi Lu showed a lack of modesty. That is why I smiled at him." "In the case of Ran You, was his method correct in administering a state?" "What can justify one in saying that sixty or seventy li square or fifty or sixty li square do not deserve the name of "state"?" 'In the case of Gong Xi Hua, was he not concerned with a state?" "Are ceremonial occasions in the ancestral temple and diplomatic gatherings not matters which concern rulers of feudal states? If Gong Xi Hua plays only a minor part, who would be able to play a major role?"
Modern: 子路、曾皙、冉有、公西华围在孔子坐前。孔子说：“我虽然年龄长于你们，但是你们不要因为我年长，感到为难而有所保留，可以畅所欲言。你们平时总是抱怨说：‘人们不了解我啊！’现在，如果有人知道并想重用你们。那么你能做什么呢？” 子路率先回答：“拥有千辆兵车的国家，夹处在几个大国之间。国外有军队来侵犯，并且国内又发生了灾荒。这时让我去治理，三年时间，可以使老百姓人人勇武， 并且明辨是非道理。” 孔子轻轻一笑，并没做什么评语。孔子向冉有说：“你将如何做？” 冉有回答：“一个纵横大约六七十里，或五六十里的地方，让我治理，三年内，可以让百姓富足。礼乐方面，那就要等到有德行修养的君子来实行。” “公西华，你能做什么？” 公西华回答：“我不敢说有本领做好它，但我愿意在这方面学习。举行祭礼或者诸侯会盟，我穿上礼服，戴上礼帽，愿意做一个小司仪。” “曾皙，你有什么打算？” 弹奏琴瑟的声音渐渐慢下来，最后发出一个有力的击弦声，然后他将瑟放下，跪直了身子，回答：“我没有他们三位所言的能力，也于他们三位的想法不同。” 孔子说：“那有什么关系，并不妨碍什么，只是各自谈谈自己的志向啊。” 曾皙说：“春光和熙的日子里，换上轻盈舒适的春装。邀集五六位朋友，领着六七个天真烂漫的孩子，在沂水里游泳，在岸边踏青散步，在舞雩台上吹风乘凉。然后一路咏诗走回家。” 孔子叹息道：“我赞同你的想法啊！” 子路、冉有、公西华走后，曾皙说：“先生对刚才三位的话有何评语？” 孔子说：“也只是各自谈谈自己的志向罢了。” 曾皙说：“那么先生为何为什么却笑仲由？” 孔子说：“治理国家应该推崇礼让，可是他说的话却一点也不谦逊，所以笑了。” 曾皙又说：“那么只有冉求治理国家的方法可取？” 孔子说：“怎见得方圆六七十里或五六十里的地方，就够不上一个国家呢？” 曾皙说：“是不是只有公西华所说的才是治理国家的方法呢？” 孔子答道：“宗庙祭奠，诸侯会盟，不是为了国家又是什么呢？如果公西华只能担任司仪，那么又有谁能做大事呢？”
Original: 子路、曾皙、冉有、公西华侍坐。子曰：“以吾一日长乎尔，毋吾以也。居则曰：‘不吾知也！’如或知尔，则何以哉？”子路率尔而对曰：“千乘之国，摄乎大国之间，加之以师旅，因之以饥馑。由也为之，比及三年，可使有勇，且知方也。”夫子哂之。“求尔何如？”对曰：“方六七十，如五六十，求也为之，比及三年，可使足民。如其礼乐，以俟君子。” “赤尔何如？”对曰：“非曰能之，愿学焉。宗庙之事，如会同，端章甫，愿为小相焉。” “点尔何如？”鼓瑟希，铿尔，舍瑟而作，对曰：“异乎三子者之撰。”子曰：“何伤乎？亦各言其志也。”曰：“莫春者，春服既成，冠者五六人，童子六七人，浴乎沂，风乎舞雩，咏而归。”夫子喟然叹曰：“吾与点也！”三子者出，曾皙后。曾皙曰：“夫三子者之言何如？” 子曰：“亦各言其志也已矣。” 曰：“夫子何哂由也？”曰：“为国以礼，其言不让，是故哂之。”“唯求则非邦也与？” “安见方六七十如五六十而非邦也者？” “唯赤则非邦也与？” “宗庙会同，非诸侯而何？赤也为之小，孰能为之大？”
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