Verse 3-Analects of Confucius Chapter 13

From World's Chinese Wiki

Verse 3 of Analects of Confucius Chapter 13

English: Zi Lu asked:"If the Lord of State of Wei offers you a public office, what would you do first?" Confucius replied:"Making a name for myself." "Is there such a need? Aren't you doing things in a roundabout way? Why making a name?" Confucius said:"You are not being virtuous here. A gentleman avoid making comments on things he does not know. When the reputation is not instituted properly, instructions will not be accepted; when instructions are not accepted, things are not accomplished; when things are not accomplished, rites and music cannot thrive. Rites and music cannot thrive, punishment and penalties are not carried out in justice; punishment and penalties are not carried out in justice, then commoners are in a bind. Thus with name instituted, a gentleman can speak and actions can be taken. What a gentleman says is but earnest."

Modern: 子路说：“假若卫国国君请您去治理国家政事，您会先做什么？” 孔子说：“首先是辨正名份。” 子路说：“有这个必要吗？这做法未免太迂回吧？这名份又如何辩正？” 孔子说：“你真是不明事理。君子对与不懂的事就应该保留不说；名份不正，说的话就不顺理；话不顺理，什么事都办不成；什么事都办不成，便不能推行礼乐；礼乐不能推行，单用刑罚，刑罚就不公正；刑罚不公正，百姓就手足无措。因此，君子名份定下来，必定要能说得出口，说得出口一定要能做得到。君子对于自己的言论，没有一丝苟且。”

Original: 子路曰：“卫君待子而为政，子将奚先？” 子曰：“必也正名乎！” 子路曰：“有是哉，子之迂也！奚其正？” 子曰：“野哉，由也！君子于其所不知，盖阙如也。名不正，则言不顺；言不顺，则事不成；事不成，则礼乐不兴；礼乐不兴，则刑罚不中；刑罚不中，则民无所措手足。故君子名之必可言也，言之必可行也。君子于其言，无所苟而已矣。”

Explanation:

Application: