子曰：“夏礼，吾能言之，杞不足征也；殷礼，吾能言之，宋不足征也。文献不足故也。足，则吾能征之足矣。”
The Master said: I can describe the li of Xia Dynasty, but my description can't be verified by its descendants in the state of Qi. I can describe li of the Yin Dynasty, but my descriptions can't be verified by its descendant in the state of Song. Not enough documents survive, if they did, I could verify what I say.
Tuesday, March 15, 2016
Thursday, March 10, 2016
Book III-Chapter 8
子夏问曰：“‘巧笑倩兮，美目盼兮，素以为绚兮’何谓也？”子曰：“绘事后素。”曰：“礼后乎？”子曰：“起予者商也，始可与言《诗》已矣。”
Zixia asked, "What is the meaning of the lines from Poetry,
The fine smile dimpled,
The lovely eyes flashing,
The plain ground brings out the color?"
The Master said, "Painting follows after plain silk," Zixia said, "Then is it that li comes after?" The Master said, "How Shang lifts me up! At last I have someone to discuss the Poetry with!"
This chapter is talking about the importance of having a good nature. Only if the person has a good human nature, other good parts will stand up.
Zixia asked, "What is the meaning of the lines from Poetry,
The fine smile dimpled,
The lovely eyes flashing,
The plain ground brings out the color?"
The Master said, "Painting follows after plain silk," Zixia said, "Then is it that li comes after?" The Master said, "How Shang lifts me up! At last I have someone to discuss the Poetry with!"
This chapter is talking about the importance of having a good nature. Only if the person has a good human nature, other good parts will stand up.
Wednesday, March 9, 2016
Book III- Chapter 7
子曰：“君子无所争，必也射乎！揖让而升，下而饮。其争也君子。”
The Master said: the junzi doesn't compete. Yet there is always archery, is there not? They mount the dais bowing and yielding, they descend and toast one another. They compete at being junzis!
The Master said: the junzi doesn't compete. Yet there is always archery, is there not? They mount the dais bowing and yielding, they descend and toast one another. They compete at being junzis!
Monday, March 7, 2016
BookIII-Chapter 6
季氏旅于泰山，子谓冉有曰：“女弗能救与？”对曰：“不能。”子曰：“呜呼！曾谓泰山不如林放乎？”
The Ji family performed the great Lu sacrifice to mountains and rivers at Mt. Tai. The Master said to Ran You, "You were unable to prevent this?" Ran You replied,“I was unable.” The Master said, "Alas! Do they think Mt. Tai less perceptive than Lin Fang?"
Saturday, March 5, 2016
Book III-Chapter5
子曰：“夷狄之有君，不如诸夏之亡也。”
The Master said: The nomad and forest peoples who have rulers do not come up to the people of civilized realm who do not.
The Master said: The nomad and forest peoples who have rulers do not come up to the people of civilized realm who do not.
Friday, March 4, 2016
BookIII-Chapter4
林放问礼之本。子曰：“大哉问！礼，与其奢也，宁俭；丧，与其易也，宁戚。”
Lin Fang asked about the root of li. The Master said, "an important question! In li it would be better to be frugal than to be extravagant. In funeral ritual it would be better to be guided by one's grief than simply to attend to the ritual stipulations. "
Lin Fang asked about the root of li. The Master said, "an important question! In li it would be better to be frugal than to be extravagant. In funeral ritual it would be better to be guided by one's grief than simply to attend to the ritual stipulations. "
Thursday, March 3, 2016
Book III- Chapter2
子曰：“人而不仁，如礼何？人而不仁，如乐何？”
The Master said: If a man is not ren, what can he do with li? If a man is not ren, what can he do with music?
The Master said: If a man is not ren, what can he do with li? If a man is not ren, what can he do with music?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)