Tsze-chang then asked, "What are meant by the four bad things?"
子张曰:“何谓四恶?”
The Master said, "To put the people to death without having instructed them; this is called cruelty.
子曰:“不教而杀谓之虐;
To require from them, suddenly, the full tale of work, without having given them warning;
不戒视成谓之暴;
this is called oppression. To issue orders as if without urgency, at first,
慢令致期谓之贼;
and, when the time comes, to insist on them with severity; this is called injury. And, generally,
犹之与人也,
in the giving pay or rewards to men, to do it in a stingy way; this is called acting the part of a mere official."
出纳之吝谓之有司。”
The Master said, "Without recognizing the ordinances of Heaven, it is impossible to be a superior man.
孔子曰:“不知命,无以为君子也;
Without an acquaintance with the rules of Propriety, it is impossible for the character to be established.
不知礼,无以立也;
Without knowing the force of words, it is impossible to know men."
不知言,无以知人也。”