Verse 42-Analects of Confucius Chapter 14

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Verse 42 of Analects of Confucius Chapter 14

English: When Confucius is playing the Qing⁽¹⁾ in State of Wei, a man carrying a basket passed by Confucius' door. He commented:"The player is playing with his feelings and sincerity indeed." He continued saying,"How crude for the Qing to continue. If he knew better he would have stop. 'When the water is deep, swim across. When the water is shallow, lift up the hem and cross.'⁽²⁾" Confucius said:"If such decisiveness can be easily achieved, there would not be any problem."

Modern: 孔子在卫国击磬^(一)，一个担着草篮的人经过孔子门前，说：“击磬的人，是个有心人。” 又说：“多么鄙陋！硁硁的声音。没有人欣赏自己，就罢休算了。「深则厉，浅则揭。」^(二)” 孔子说：“如果可以这么果断，便不会有困难了。”

Original: 子击磬于卫，有荷蒉而过孔氏之门者，曰：“有心哉，击磬乎！”既而曰：“鄙哉，硁硁乎，莫己知也，斯己而已矣。深则厉，浅则揭。” 子曰：“果哉！末之难矣。”

Explanation:

Application:

Notes

• (1): A musical instrument.
• (2): From the book of The Odes.
• (一): 念qìng。古代乐器。
• (二): 见于《诗经》意思是：水深便和服色水过去，水浅便撩起衣服走过去。