Verse 30-Analects of Confucius Chapter 7

From World's Chinese Wiki

Verse 30 of Analects of Confucius Chapter 7

English: Chen Si Bai asked Confucius:" Does Duke Zhao of State of Lu knows the rites?" Confucius replied:" Yes, he does." Confucius left, and Chen Si Bai beckons Wu Ma Qi⁽¹⁾ to come over and said:"I have heard that a gentleman does not show partiality or is it not? The Duke took a bride, from the State of Wu, who has the same surname as him, thus calling her Wu Meng Zi. If Duke Zhao is versed in the rites, then who else isn't?" Wu Ma Qi told Confucius of what Chen Si Bai said. Confucius commented:"I am truly fortunate. Whenever I make a mistake, other people are sure to see it."

Modern: 陈司败问：“鲁昭公知礼仪吗？” 孔子答道：“懂得礼仪。” 孔子离开后， 陈司败揖请巫马期^(一)走进自己，说：“我听说君子不偏袒自己人，君子可真不偏袒自己人？鲁昭公娶了吴国同姓女子为妻，叫吴孟子。如果鲁昭公也知道礼仪，那还有谁不知道礼仪？” 巫马期把这些话告诉孔子。孔子说：“我真幸运。只要有过失，别人必定知道。

Original: 陈司败问：“昭公知礼乎？”孔子曰：“知礼。”孔子退，揖巫马期而进之，曰：“吾闻君子不党，君子亦党乎？君取于吴为同姓，谓之吴孟子。君而知礼，孰不知礼？”巫马期以告。子曰：“丘也幸，苟有过，人必知之。”

Explanation: State of Wu and State of Lu are believed to be descendants of Zhou Emperor, thus according to rites, there cannot be any inter-marriages.

吴国与鲁国是周公之后，依礼是不能通婚。

Application:

Notes

• (1): Disciple of Confucius
• (一): 孔子的学生，姓巫马，名施，字子期。