君子如欲化民成俗，其必由學乎！
When a ruler is concerned that his measures should be in accordance with law, and seeks for the (assistance of the) good and upright, this is sufficient to secure him a considerable reputation, but not to move the multitudes.
When he cultivates the society of the worthy, and tries to embody the views of those who are remote (from the court), this is sufficient to move the multitudes, but not to transform the people.
If he wish to transform the people and to perfect their manners and customs, must he not start from the lessons of the school?
子云：「有國家者，貴人而賤祿，則民興讓；尚技而賤車，則民興藝。」故君子約言，小人先言。
The Master said, 'When the ruler of a state, with its clans, thinks much of the men and little of the emoluments (which he bestows on them), the people give place readily (to those men).
When he thinks much of their ability, and little of the chariots (with which he rewards them), the people address themselves to elegant arts.
Hence a superior man keeps his speech under control, while the small man is forward to speak.'
曾子曰：「不以輕服而重相為乎？」
Zeng-zi said, 'Would not this be making the mourning of little importance, and attaching (undue) importance to mutual helpfulness?'
曾子問曰：「除喪則不復昏禮乎？」
Zeng-zi asked, 'When the mourning is ended, will they not resume the marriage ceremonies?'
凡喪，小功以上，非虞附練祥，無沐浴。
During the course of mourning, from that worn for five months and more, the mourner did not wash his head or bathe, excepting for the sacrifice of Repose, the placing the spirit-tablet in the shrine, the assuming the dress of lian silk, and the sacrifice at the end of a year.
男女非有行媒，不相知名；非受幣，不交不親。
Male and female, without the intervention of the matchmaker, do not know each other's name.
Unless the marriage presents have been received, there should be no communication nor affection between them.
Hence the day and month (of the marriage) should be announced to the ruler, and to the spirits (of ancestors) with purification and fasting; and (the bridegroom) should make a feast, and invite (his friends) in the district and neighbourhood, and his fellow-officers - thus giving its due importance to the separate position (of male and female).
故日月以告君，齊戒以告鬼神，為酒食以召鄉黨僚友，以厚其別也。
Male and female, without the intervention of the matchmaker, do not know each other's name.
Unless the marriage presents have been received, there should be no communication nor affection between them.
Hence the day and month (of the marriage) should be announced to the ruler, and to the spirits (of ancestors) with purification and fasting; and (the bridegroom) should make a feast, and invite (his friends) in the district and neighbourhood, and his fellow-officers - thus giving its due importance to the separate position (of male and female).
毛血，告幽全之物也。
The (examination of the) hair and the (taking of the) blood was an announcement that the victim was complete within and without.
This announcement showed the value set on its being perfect'.
The offering of the blood was because of the breath which is contained in it.
They offered (specially) the lungs,, the liver, and the heart, doing honour to those parts as the home of the breath.
告幽全之物者，貴純之道也。
The (examination of the) hair and the (taking of the) blood was an announcement that the victim was complete within and without.
This announcement showed the value set on its being perfect'.
The offering of the blood was because of the breath which is contained in it.
They offered (specially) the lungs,, the liver, and the heart, doing honour to those parts as the home of the breath.
血祭，盛氣也。
The (examination of the) hair and the (taking of the) blood was an announcement that the victim was complete within and without.
This announcement showed the value set on its being perfect'.
The offering of the blood was because of the breath which is contained in it.
They offered (specially) the lungs,, the liver, and the heart, doing honour to those parts as the home of the breath.
祭肺肝心，貴氣主也。
The (examination of the) hair and the (taking of the) blood was an announcement that the victim was complete within and without.
This announcement showed the value set on its being perfect'.
The offering of the blood was because of the breath which is contained in it.
They offered (specially) the lungs,, the liver, and the heart, doing honour to those parts as the home of the breath.
少而無父者謂之孤，老而無子者謂之獨，老而無妻者謂之矜，老而無夫者謂之寡。
One who, while quite young, lost his father was called an orphan; an old man who had lost his sons was called a solitary.
An old man who had lost his wife was called a pitiable (widower); an old woman who had lost her husband was called a poor (widow).
These four classes were the most forlorn of Heaven's people, and had none to whom to tell their wants; they all received regular allowances.
此四者，天民之窮而無告者也，皆有常餼。
One who, while quite young, lost his father was called an orphan; an old man who had lost his sons was called a solitary.
An old man who had lost his wife was called a pitiable (widower); an old woman who had lost her husband was called a poor (widow).
These four classes were the most forlorn of Heaven's people, and had none to whom to tell their wants; they all received regular allowances.