介紹而傳命，君子於其所尊弗敢質，敬之至也。
The messages (between the visitor and the host) were passed through all the attendants, from one to another.
A superior man, where he wishes to do honour, will not venture to communicate directly and in person.
This was a high tribute of respect.
孔子曰：「拜而後稽顙，頹乎其順也；稽顙而後拜，頎乎其至也。
Confucius said, 'When (the mourner) bows to (the visitor), and then lays his forehead to the ground, this shows the predominance of courtesy.
When he lays his forehead to the ground, and then bows (to his visitor), this shows the extreme degree of his sorrow.
In the three years' mourning, I follow the extreme (demonstration).'
三年之喪，吾從其至者。」
Confucius said, 'When (the mourner) bows to (the visitor), and then lays his forehead to the ground, this shows the predominance of courtesy.
When he lays his forehead to the ground, and then bows (to his visitor), this shows the extreme degree of his sorrow.
In the three years' mourning, I follow the extreme (demonstration).'
子曰：「王言如絲，其出如綸；王言如綸，其出如綍。
The Master said, 'The kings words are (at first) as, threads of silk; but when given forth, they become as cords.
Or they are (at first) as cords; but when given forth, they become as ropes.
Therefore the great man does not take the lead in idle speaking.
The superior does not speak words which may be spoken indeed but should not be embodied in deeds; nor does he do actions which may be done in deed but should not be expressed in words.
When this is the case, the words of the people can be carried into action without risk, and their actions can be spoken of without risk.
It is said in the Book of Poetry (III, iii, ode 2, 8), "Keep on your acts a watchful eye, That you may scrutiny defy."'
故大人不倡游言。
The Master said, 'The kings words are (at first) as, threads of silk; but when given forth, they become as cords.
Or they are (at first) as cords; but when given forth, they become as ropes.
Therefore the great man does not take the lead in idle speaking.
The superior does not speak words which may be spoken indeed but should not be embodied in deeds; nor does he do actions which may be done in deed but should not be expressed in words.
When this is the case, the words of the people can be carried into action without risk, and their actions can be spoken of without risk.
It is said in the Book of Poetry (III, iii, ode 2, 8), "Keep on your acts a watchful eye, That you may scrutiny defy."'
可言也，不可行。
The Master said, 'The kings words are (at first) as, threads of silk; but when given forth, they become as cords.
Or they are (at first) as cords; but when given forth, they become as ropes.
Therefore the great man does not take the lead in idle speaking.
The superior does not speak words which may be spoken indeed but should not be embodied in deeds; nor does he do actions which may be done in deed but should not be expressed in words.
When this is the case, the words of the people can be carried into action without risk, and their actions can be spoken of without risk.
It is said in the Book of Poetry (III, iii, ode 2, 8), "Keep on your acts a watchful eye, That you may scrutiny defy."'
君子弗言也；可行也，不可言，君子弗行也。
The Master said, 'The kings words are (at first) as, threads of silk; but when given forth, they become as cords.
Or they are (at first) as cords; but when given forth, they become as ropes.
Therefore the great man does not take the lead in idle speaking.
The superior does not speak words which may be spoken indeed but should not be embodied in deeds; nor does he do actions which may be done in deed but should not be expressed in words.
When this is the case, the words of the people can be carried into action without risk, and their actions can be spoken of without risk.
It is said in the Book of Poetry (III, iii, ode 2, 8), "Keep on your acts a watchful eye, That you may scrutiny defy."'
則民言不危行，而行不危言矣。
The Master said, 'The kings words are (at first) as, threads of silk; but when given forth, they become as cords.
Or they are (at first) as cords; but when given forth, they become as ropes.
Therefore the great man does not take the lead in idle speaking.
The superior does not speak words which may be spoken indeed but should not be embodied in deeds; nor does he do actions which may be done in deed but should not be expressed in words.
When this is the case, the words of the people can be carried into action without risk, and their actions can be spoken of without risk.
It is said in the Book of Poetry (III, iii, ode 2, 8), "Keep on your acts a watchful eye, That you may scrutiny defy."'
《詩》云：『淑慎爾止，不愆于儀。』」
The Master said, 'The kings words are (at first) as, threads of silk; but when given forth, they become as cords.
Or they are (at first) as cords; but when given forth, they become as ropes.
Therefore the great man does not take the lead in idle speaking.
The superior does not speak words which may be spoken indeed but should not be embodied in deeds; nor does he do actions which may be done in deed but should not be expressed in words.
When this is the case, the words of the people can be carried into action without risk, and their actions can be spoken of without risk.
It is said in the Book of Poetry (III, iii, ode 2, 8), "Keep on your acts a watchful eye, That you may scrutiny defy."'
晉獻公之喪，秦穆公使人吊公子重耳，且曰：「寡人聞之：亡國恒於斯，得國恒於斯。
At the mourning rites for duke Xian of Jin, duke Mu of Qin sent a messenger to present his condolences to Xian's son Chong-er (who was then an exile), and to add this message: 'I have heard that a time like this is specially adapted to the losing of a state, or the gaining of a state.
Though you, my son, are quiet here, in sorrow and in mourning, your exile should not be allowed to continue long, and the opportunity should not be lost.
Think of it and take your measures, my young son.' Chong-er reported the words to his maternal uncle Fan, who said,' My son, decline the proffer.
An exile as you are, nothing precious remains to you; but a loving regard for your father is to be considered precious.
How shall the death of a father be told?
And if you take advantage of it to seek your own profit, who under heaven will be able to give a good account of your conduct?
Decline the proffer, my son.
雖吾子儼然在憂服之中，喪亦不可久也，時亦不可失也。
At the mourning rites for duke Xian of Jin, duke Mu of Qin sent a messenger to present his condolences to Xian's son Chong-er (who was then an exile), and to add this message: 'I have heard that a time like this is specially adapted to the losing of a state, or the gaining of a state.
Though you, my son, are quiet here, in sorrow and in mourning, your exile should not be allowed to continue long, and the opportunity should not be lost.
Think of it and take your measures, my young son.' Chong-er reported the words to his maternal uncle Fan, who said,' My son, decline the proffer.
An exile as you are, nothing precious remains to you; but a loving regard for your father is to be considered precious.
How shall the death of a father be told?
And if you take advantage of it to seek your own profit, who under heaven will be able to give a good account of your conduct?
Decline the proffer, my son.
孺子其圖之。」以告舅犯，舅犯曰：「孺子其辭焉；喪人無寶，仁親以為寶。
At the mourning rites for duke Xian of Jin, duke Mu of Qin sent a messenger to present his condolences to Xian's son Chong-er (who was then an exile), and to add this message: 'I have heard that a time like this is specially adapted to the losing of a state, or the gaining of a state.
Though you, my son, are quiet here, in sorrow and in mourning, your exile should not be allowed to continue long, and the opportunity should not be lost.
Think of it and take your measures, my young son.' Chong-er reported the words to his maternal uncle Fan, who said,' My son, decline the proffer.
An exile as you are, nothing precious remains to you; but a loving regard for your father is to be considered precious.
How shall the death of a father be told?
And if you take advantage of it to seek your own profit, who under heaven will be able to give a good account of your conduct?
Decline the proffer, my son.
父死之謂何？
At the mourning rites for duke Xian of Jin, duke Mu of Qin sent a messenger to present his condolences to Xian's son Chong-er (who was then an exile), and to add this message: 'I have heard that a time like this is specially adapted to the losing of a state, or the gaining of a state.
Though you, my son, are quiet here, in sorrow and in mourning, your exile should not be allowed to continue long, and the opportunity should not be lost.
Think of it and take your measures, my young son.' Chong-er reported the words to his maternal uncle Fan, who said,' My son, decline the proffer.
An exile as you are, nothing precious remains to you; but a loving regard for your father is to be considered precious.
How shall the death of a father be told?
And if you take advantage of it to seek your own profit, who under heaven will be able to give a good account of your conduct?
Decline the proffer, my son.
又因以為利，而天下其孰能說之？
At the mourning rites for duke Xian of Jin, duke Mu of Qin sent a messenger to present his condolences to Xian's son Chong-er (who was then an exile), and to add this message: 'I have heard that a time like this is specially adapted to the losing of a state, or the gaining of a state.
Though you, my son, are quiet here, in sorrow and in mourning, your exile should not be allowed to continue long, and the opportunity should not be lost.
Think of it and take your measures, my young son.' Chong-er reported the words to his maternal uncle Fan, who said,' My son, decline the proffer.
An exile as you are, nothing precious remains to you; but a loving regard for your father is to be considered precious.
How shall the death of a father be told?
And if you take advantage of it to seek your own profit, who under heaven will be able to give a good account of your conduct?
Decline the proffer, my son.
孺子其辭焉。」
At the mourning rites for duke Xian of Jin, duke Mu of Qin sent a messenger to present his condolences to Xian's son Chong-er (who was then an exile), and to add this message: 'I have heard that a time like this is specially adapted to the losing of a state, or the gaining of a state.
Though you, my son, are quiet here, in sorrow and in mourning, your exile should not be allowed to continue long, and the opportunity should not be lost.
Think of it and take your measures, my young son.' Chong-er reported the words to his maternal uncle Fan, who said,' My son, decline the proffer.
An exile as you are, nothing precious remains to you; but a loving regard for your father is to be considered precious.
How shall the death of a father be told?
And if you take advantage of it to seek your own profit, who under heaven will be able to give a good account of your conduct?
Decline the proffer, my son.
公曰：「敢問何謂成身？」孔子對曰：「不過乎物。」
The duke said, 'I venture to ask what is meant by "doing all that could be done for one's person."' Confucius replied, 'It is keeping from all transgression of what is due in all the sphere beyond one's self.'
子云：「小人皆能養其親，君子不敬，何以辨？」
The Master said, 'Small men are all able to support their parents.
If the superior man do not also reverence them, how is his supporting to be distinguished (from theirs)?'
故先王秉蓍龜，列祭祀，瘞繒，宣祝嘏辭說，設制度，故國有禮，官有御，事有職，禮有序。
The ancient kings made use of the stalks and the tortoise-shell; arranged their sacrifices; buried their offerings of silk; recited their words of supplication and benediction; and made their statutes and measures.
In this way arose the ceremonial usages of the states, the official departments with their administrators, each separate business with its own duties, and the rules of ceremony in their orderly arrangements.
妾為君之長子與女君同。
For the ruler's eldest son a concubine wore mourning for the same time as his wife, (the son's mother).
三年之喪，雖功衰不吊，自諸侯達諸士。
During the one year's mourning, in the eleventh month, they put on the dress of silk, which was called lian; in the thirteenth month they offered the xiang sacrifice, and in the same month that called tan - which concluded the mourning.
During the mourning for three years, even though they had occasion to assume the dress proper for the nine months' mourning, they did not go to condole (with the other mourners).
From the feudal lords down to all officers, if they had occasion to dress and go to wail (for a relative newly deceased), they did so in the dress proper to the mourning for him, After putting on the lian silk, they paid visits of condolence.
如有服而將往哭之，則服其服而往。
During the one year's mourning, in the eleventh month, they put on the dress of silk, which was called lian; in the thirteenth month they offered the xiang sacrifice, and in the same month that called tan - which concluded the mourning.
During the mourning for three years, even though they had occasion to assume the dress proper for the nine months' mourning, they did not go to condole (with the other mourners).
From the feudal lords down to all officers, if they had occasion to dress and go to wail (for a relative newly deceased), they did so in the dress proper to the mourning for him, After putting on the lian silk, they paid visits of condolence.
期之喪，十一月而練，十三月而祥，十五月禫。
During the one year's mourning, in the eleventh month, they put on the dress of silk, which was called lian; in the thirteenth month they offered the xiang sacrifice, and in the same month that called tan - which concluded the mourning.
During the mourning for three years, even though they had occasion to assume the dress proper for the nine months' mourning, they did not go to condole (with the other mourners).
From the feudal lords down to all officers, if they had occasion to dress and go to wail (for a relative newly deceased), they did so in the dress proper to the mourning for him, After putting on the lian silk, they paid visits of condolence.
練則吊。
During the one year's mourning, in the eleventh month, they put on the dress of silk, which was called lian; in the thirteenth month they offered the xiang sacrifice, and in the same month that called tan - which concluded the mourning.
During the mourning for three years, even though they had occasion to assume the dress proper for the nine months' mourning, they did not go to condole (with the other mourners).
From the feudal lords down to all officers, if they had occasion to dress and go to wail (for a relative newly deceased), they did so in the dress proper to the mourning for him, After putting on the lian silk, they paid visits of condolence.
孝弟發諸朝廷，行乎道路，至乎州巷，放乎蒐狩，修乎軍旅，眾以義死之，而弗敢犯也。
The display of filial and fraternal duty in the court; the practice of them on the road; their reaching to the districts and hamlets; their extension to the huntings; and the cultivation of them in the army, (have thus been described).
All would have died for them under the constraint of righteousness, and not dared to violate them.