The Master said, "Fine words and an insinuating appearance are seldom associated with virtue."
子曰:“巧言令色,鲜矣仁。”
The Master said, "I hate the manner in which purple takes away the luster of vermilion,
子曰:“恶紫之夺朱也,
I hate the way in which the songs of Chang confound the music of the Ya,
恶郑声之乱雅乐也,
I hate those who with their sharp mouths overthrow kingdoms and families."
恶利口之覆邦家者。”
The Master said, "I would prefer not speaking." Tsze-kung said, "If you, Master, do not speak, what shall we, your disciples, have to record?"
子曰:“予欲无言。”子贡曰:“子如不言,则小子何述焉?”
The Master said, "Does Heaven speak? The four seasons pursue their courses, and all things are continually being produced, but does Heaven say anything?"
子曰:“天何言哉?四时行焉,百物生焉,天何言哉?”
Zu Pei wished to see Confucius, but Confucius declined, on the ground of being sick, to see him.
孺悲欲见孔子,孔子辞以疾。
When the bearer of this message went out at the door, the Master took his lute and sang to it, in order that Pei might hear him.
将命者出户,取瑟而歌,使之闻之。
Tsai Wo asked about the three years'mourning for parents, saying that one year was long enough!
宰我问:“三年之丧,期已久矣!
"If the superior man," said he, "abstains for three years from the observances of propriety, those observances will be quite lost;
君子三年不为礼,礼必坏;
If for three years he abstains from music, music will be ruined.
三年不为乐,乐必崩。