古文(ancient writing)

子曰：“学而时习之，不亦说(yue)乎？有朋自远方来，不亦乐乎？人不知而不愠(yun)，不亦君子乎？”

现代汉语浅译(modern Chinese translation)

孔子说：“学了而时常温习，不也喜悦吗？有朋友从远方来，不也快乐吗？别人不了解我，我并不怨恨，不也是君子吗？”

English translation:

Confucius said: “To study and review often, isn’t it a pleasure? Friends’ coming from far, doesn’t it make you happy? Other people do not know me, but I do not blame them, am I not a gentleperson?”

古文(ancient writing)

曾子曰：：“吾日三省吾身：为人谋而不忠乎？与朋友交而不信乎？传不习乎？”

现代汉语浅译(modern Chinese translation)

曾子说：：“我每天在三方面检查反省自己：为别人出主意做事情是否忠实呢？和朋友交往是否真诚讲信用呢？对老师所讲授的知识是否复习了呢？”

English translation:

Zeng Zi said: “Every day I self-reflect on three counts: Was I loyal when planning for others? Did I maintain good integrity when I socialize with friends? Did I review my lessons?”

古文(ancient writing)

子曰：“君子不重则不威，学则不固。主中信。无友不如己者。过则无惮(dan)改。”

现代汉语浅译(modern Chinese translation)

孔子说：“君子不庄重就没有威严，学习的知识学问就不巩固。做人主要讲求忠诚,守信用。不要同不如自己的人交朋友。如果有了过错，就不要害怕改正。”

English translation:

Confucius said: “A gentleperson not solemnly composed will not win authority or gain sound knowledge. To be an individual, the main issue is integrity. Do not make friends with those who are not as good as oneself. If wrong, do not be afraid of correction.”

古文(ancient writing)

子曰：“君子食无求饱，居无求安，敏于事而慎于言，就有道而正焉，可谓好学也已。”

现代汉语浅译(modern Chinese translation)

孔子说：“君子吃饭不追求饱足，居住不追求享受安逸，做事敏捷而说话谨慎，靠近有道德的人而且改端正自己，可以说是一个好学的人了。”

English translation:

Confucius said: “A gentleperson does not desire satiety when eating, does not seek comfort when boarding, is swift on actions and selective on words, close to Dao people (righteous people with good ethic and moral) and be righteous, can be said like learning.”

古文(ancient writing)

子曰：“吾十有五而志于学，三十而立，四十而不惑，五十而知天命，六十而耳顺，七十而从心所欲，不逾矩。”

现代汉语浅译(modern Chinese translation)

孔子说：“我十五岁时开始立志学习；三十岁时能自立于世；四十岁时遇事就不迷惑；五十岁时懂得了什么是天命；六十岁时能听得进不同的意见；到了七十岁时达到随心所欲，也不会超出规矩。”

English translation:

Confucius said: “I was determined to study when I was 15, I became independent in the world by 30, by 40 I kept a clear mind in various situations, by 50 I understood what fate is, by 60 I could listen to various opinions, by 70 I could follow the desire of my heart without wrong doing.”

古文(ancient writing)

子夏问孝，子曰：“色难。有事，弟子服其劳；有酒食，先生馔(zhuan)，曾(zeng)是以为孝乎？”

现代汉语浅译(modern Chinese translation)

子夏问怎样做是孝，孔子说：“和颜愉色是最难的。有了事，孩子为父母去做；有了酒饭，让父母吃，难道能算是孝吗？”

English translation:

Zi Xia asked about filial piety, Confucius said: “Countenance is difficult. There is chore, children do it; there are food and drink, parents use, can that (alone) be filial piety?’

古文(ancient writing)

子曰：“视其所以，观其所由，察其所安。人焉瘦哉？人焉瘦哉？”

现代汉语浅译(modern Chinese translation)

孔子说：“看他的动机，观察他的行踪，考察他的计划。人怎么能隐瞒得了呢？人怎么能隐瞒得了呢？”

English translation:

Confucius said: “Look into his motive, observe his trail, and study his plan. How can one hide? How can one hide?”

古文(ancient writing)

子曰：“由，诲(hui)女，知之乎？知之为知之，不知为不知，是知也。”

现代汉语浅译(modern Chinese translation)

孔子说：“由，我教导你的，知道了吗？知道就是知道，不知道就是不知道，可以说是知道(情况)。”

English translation:

Confucius said: “Yu, what I taught, do you understand? To acknowledge what you know and what you do not means you know (the situation).”

Note: If you know what you do not understand, this means that you know the whole picture and is considered that you know. If you do not know what is missing, this means that you do not have the whole picture. “You know what you don’t know” is “know”, “You don’t know what you don’t know” may be missing the whole picture.

古文(ancient writing)

子张学干禄。子曰：“多闻阙疑，慎言其余，则寡尤；多见阙殆，慎行其余，则寡悔。言寡尤，行寡悔，禄在其中矣。”

现代汉语浅译(modern Chinese translation)

子张学习领取俸的方法。孔子说：“多听，避开可怀疑的地方，谨慎地说出其余的，就能少犯错误；多看，避开有危险的事，谨慎地去做其余的，就能减少后悔。说话少出错，做事少后悔，官职的机会就在其中了。”

English translation:

Zi Zhang was learning how to obtain emolument of an officer. Confucius said: “Listen more, cast off doubt, and speak the rest prudently, will reduce accusations; observe more, cast off desolation, and carry out the remainder carefully, will reduce remorse. Speak with fewer accusations, act with little remorse, chances for an officer lie in.”

古文(ancient writing)

哀公问曰：“何为则民服？”孔子对曰：“举直错诸枉，则民服；举枉错诸直，则民不服。”

现代汉语浅译(modern Chinese translation)

鲁哀公问：“怎样做才能使人民服从呢？”孔子回答说：“选拔正直的人，安排在邪恶的人之上，人民便服了；选拔邪恶的人，安排在正直的人之上，人民就不服了。”

English translation:

Duke Ai asked: “What to do in order for people to obey?” Confucius answered: “Promote these with justice and good integrity above those who are perverted, people would obey; promote perverted above those with justice and good integrity, people would not obey.”

古文(ancient writing)

季康子问：“使民敬，忠以劝，如之何？”子曰：“临之以庄，则敬；孝慈，则忠；举善而教不能，则劝。”

现代汉语浅译(modern Chinese translation)

季康子问道：“要使人民对我尊敬，对我忠实而又互相劝勉，应该如何办呢？”孔子说：“你要用庄重的态度来对待，人民就会尊敬你；你对父母孝顺，对人们慈爱，他们就会忠实于你；你宣拔任用善良的人，又教那些能力差的人，人们就会互相劝勉了。”

English translation:

Jikang Zi asked: “If I want people to respect me, loyal to me and encourage each other, what to do?” Confucius said: “Preside in solemnly composed manner, people would respect you; be filial pious, and kind to people, they would be loyal to you; promote capable people while train the less capable, people would encourage each other.”

古文(ancient writing)

子曰：“非其鬼而祭之，谄也。见义不为，无勇也。”

现代汉语浅译(modern Chinese translation)

孔子说：“不是自己的祖先却去祭祀它，就是谄媚。遇到符合正义的事而不去做，就是没有勇气。”

English translation:

Confucius said: “Paying respect to a dead outside of the family is flattering. Facing justice but no action is no courage.”

古文(ancient writing)

子曰：“不患无位，患所以立。不患莫己知，求为可知也。”

现代汉语浅译(modern Chinese translation)

孔子说：“不担忧没有官职地位，担忧的是没有能使自己站得住脚的本领。不担忧没有人知道自己，只求能成为值得别人知道的人。”

English translation:

Confucius said: “Do not worry no office to hold, worry no competency to stand in the world. Do not worry not known, seek quality worth knowing.

Note: This is in conflict with Confucius later life experience. See later he was beating a Qing. This applies when you do not have enough competency. Later applies when you have got enough but others do not recognize you.

古文(ancient writing)

子曰：“见贤思齐焉，见不贤而内自省也。”

现代汉语浅译(modern Chinese translation)

孔子说：“看到有德行有才能的人， 就应该想到向他看齐；看到不贤的人，就应该自我反省。”

English translation:

Confucius said: “Meeting virtuous people and think to be the same; seeing people with no good ethic check on oneself.

古文(ancient writing)

子曰：“君子欲讷(ne)于言，而敏于行。”

现代汉语浅译(modern Chinese translation)

孔子说：“君子要说话迟缓，而要敏捷地行动。”

English translation:

Confucius said: “A gentleperson wishes slow on words, agile in action.”

古文(ancient writing)

子游曰：“事君数，斯辱矣；朋友数，斯疏矣。”

现代汉语浅译(modern Chinese translation)

子游说：“事奉君主而频繁地提意见，就会招致羞辱；对朋友频繁地提意见，就会造成疏远。”

English translation:

Zi You said: “Frequently advising a boss leads to disgrace; frequently advising a friend distance you.”

古文(ancient writing)

宰予昼寝。子曰：“朽木不可雕也，粪土之墙不可圬(wu)也。于予与何诛？”子曰：“始吾于人也，听其言而信其行；今吾于人也，听其言而观其行。于予与改是。”

现代汉语浅译(modern Chinese translation)

宰予白天睡觉。孔子说：“腐朽的木头不可以雕刻什么了，要腐烂成粪土的墙不可以粉刷了。对于宰予这个人，何必再谴责他呢？”孔子又说：“开始时，我对于人，是听了他的话便相信他的行为；现在，我对于人，是听了他的话还要观察他的行为。宰予这个人使我改变了观察人的方法。”

English translation:

Zai Yu was sleeping during day time. Confucius said: “A rotten wood is no longer able to be curved. An eroded wall is no longer able to be painted. As for Zai Yu, is there any use to rebuke him?” Confucius continued: “In my earlier social life, I listened to people and believed they would do as they said; now I listen to what people say and also observe their action. Yu caused this change.”

古文(ancient writing)

子谓子产：“有君子之道四焉：其行己也恭，其事上也敬，其养民也惠，其使民也义。”

现代汉语浅译(modern Chinese translation)

孔子在谈论子产时说：“有君子四种道德：他自己庄重谦逊，为君主做事恭敬，对待人民给予恩惠，使用人时讲究义理。”

English translation:

Confucius said of Zi Chan: “Possesses a gentleperson’s four facets: self is solemnly composed and courteous, respectful when serving those above him, giving generously to his people, righteous in employing people.”

古文(ancient writing)

子曰：“宁武子，邦有道，则知；邦无道，则愚。其知可及也，其愚不可及。”

现代汉语浅译(modern Chinese translation)

孔子说：“宁武子这个人，当国家的治理符合道义时，他显的聪明；当国家的治理不符合道义时，他就装傻。别人可以赶得上他那种聪明，但赶不上他那种装傻。”

English translation:

Confucius said: “Ningwu Zi shows his wisdom when the kingdom exhibits Dao and righteousness; but dim-witted when the kingdom exhibits no Dao or righteousness. Others can be as wise as him, but cannot be as dim-witted as him.”

古文(ancient writing)

子曰：“知之者不如好之者，好之者不如乐之者。”

现代汉语浅译(modern Chinese translation)

孔子说：“知道它的人不如爱好它的人，爱好它的人不如以它为乐的人。”

English translation:

Confucius said: “A person understanding it (a profession) is not as good as a person liking it, a person liking it is not as good as a person enjoying it.”

古文(ancient writing)

子曰：“中人以上，可以语上也；中人以下，不可以语上也。”

现代汉语浅译(modern Chinese translation)

孔子说：“对有中等以上才智的人，可以讲高深的知识学问；对中等以下才智的人，不可以讲高深的知识学问。”

English translation:

Confucius said: “One can talk highly profound theory with above average talents; one should not talk highly profound theory with below average people.”

古文(ancient writing)

樊迟问知，子曰：“务民之义，敬鬼神而远之，可谓知矣。”问仁，曰：“仁者先难而后获，可谓仁矣。”

现代汉语浅译(modern Chinese translation)

樊迟问怎样才是智慧，孔子说：“从事民众的仁义，尊敬鬼神但远离它，就可以说是智了。”问怎样才是仁德，孔子说：“先付出艰苦的努力然后获的结果，就可以说是仁德了。“

English translation:

Fan Chi asked about wisdom, Confucius said: “working on things righteous to people, respecting dead and God but distance them, can be considered wisdom.” Asked about benevolence, Confucius said: “Working hard before harvesting can be considered benevolence.”

古文(ancient writing)

宰我问曰：“仁者，虽告之曰：‘井有人焉。’其从之也？”子曰：“何为其然也？君子可逝也，不可陷也；可欺也，不可罔也。”

现代汉语浅译(modern Chinese translation)

宰我问：“对于有仁德的人，虽然告诉他：‘有人掉到井里啦。’他会跟着跳下去吗？”孔子说：“为什么要他那样做呢？君子可以去，但不可以陷进去；可能被欺骗，但不能被蒙蔽。”

English translation:

Zai Wo asked: “If a benevolence person is told: ‘A person fell into a well,’ would this person follow into the well?” Confucius said: “Why should the person follow? A gentleperson can go, but cannot go in a trap; may be deceived, but cannot be fooled.”

古文(ancient writing)

子曰：“默而识之，学而不厌，诲人不倦，何有于我哉？”

现代汉语浅译(modern Chinese translation)

孔子说：“默默地记住，学习不厌烦，教人不倦怠，我做到了那些呢？”

English translation:

Confucius said: “Memorize in silence, study without feeling bored, teach without reluctance or feeling tired, do I possess any?”

古文(ancient writing)

子曰：“三人行，必有我师焉。择其善者而从之，其不善者而改之。”

现代汉语浅译(modern Chinese translation)

孔子说：“三个人一起走，必定存在可以当我的老师的人。选择他的好处照着做，看到他的不好的就改正。”

English translation:

Confucius said: “Three people walking together, there must be someone who can be my teacher. Choose his/her good to follow, check on me when seeing his/her bad.”

古文(ancient writing)

子以四教：文，行，忠，信。

现代汉语浅译(modern Chinese translation)

孔子从四个方面教育学生：文学，行为规范，忠诚老实，讲就信用。

English translation:

Confucius educated his students in four areas: art and literature, conduct, loyalty and honesty, and integrity.

古文(ancient writing)

子曰：“奢则不孙，俭则固。与其不孙也，宁固。”

现代汉语浅译(modern Chinese translation)

孔子说：“奢侈了就不能恭让，节俭了就鄙陋(lou)。与其不恭顺，宁可小气。”

English translation:

Confucius said: “extravagance eliminates humility, frugality appears to be miserly. I would rather be miserly than without humility.

古文(ancient writing)

子曰：“民可使由之，不可使知之。”

现代汉语浅译(modern Chinese translation)

孔子说：“对老百姓，可以使他们顺着当政者指点的路线走，但不可使他们知道为什么这样走。”

English translation:

Confucius said: “Let people move along the ruler’s direction, but keep them from knowing why along this direction.”

古文(ancient writing)

子曰：“笃(du)信好学，守死善道，危邦不入，乱邦不居。天下有道则见，无道则隐。邦有道，贫且贱焉，耻也；邦无道，富且贵焉，耻也。”

现代汉语浅译(modern Chinese translation)

孔子说：“坚定信念，爱好学习，誓死守卫善良的道义，不进入有危险的国家，不住在乱无秩序的国家。天下有善良的道义时，就参加政治；当国家没有善良的道义时，就隐居起来。当国家有善良的道义，而自己贫贱，是耻辱；如果国家没有善良的道义，而自己却富贵，也是耻辱。”

English translation:

Confucius said: “Believe in and love learning, be determined to protect kind Dao, do not visit dangerous kingdom, do not live in chaos kingdom. When there is Dao under the sky, be visible; when lacking Dao, be seclusive. If the kingdom has Dao, to be poor and low rank is shameful; if the kingdom does not have Dao to be rich and high rank is shameful.”

古文(ancient writing)

子曰：“学如不及，犹恐失之。”

现代汉语浅译(modern Chinese translation)

孔子说：“学习就好像是在追赶，总怕掉到后面。”

English translation:

Confucius said: “Learning is like chasing, always concerned with falling behind.”

古文(ancient writing)

子曰：“吾有知乎哉？无知也。有鄙夫问于我，空空如也。叩其两端而竭焉。”

现代汉语浅译(modern Chinese translation)

孔子说：“我有知识吗？没有。有位乡下人问我，我脑子里一片空白。可是我问了正反两方面就完全有了。”

English translation:

Confucius said: “Do I have knowledge? No. Once a villager asked me, my mind was blank. After I asked questions from both sides, I got a thorough answer.”

古文(ancient writing)

子在川上曰：“逝者如斯夫，不舍昼夜。”

现代汉语浅译(modern Chinese translation)

孔子在河边说：“消逝的时光就像这流水一样，不分白天与黑夜地流去。”

English translation:

Confucius said at a river bank: “What is passing is like the water in this river, running away day and night.”

古文(ancient writing)

子曰：“譬如为山，未成一篑(kui)，止，吾止也。譬如平地，虽履一篑，进，吾进也。”

现代汉语浅译(modern Chinese translation)

孔子说：“比如筑一座山，就差一筐，停了，那是我要停的。比如要添平一片地，才倒下一筐，继续，那是我要继续的。”

English translation:

Confucius said: “Suppose building a mound, one more basket to finish, stopped, I decided to stop. Suppose filling out a leveled land, just dumped the first basket, continue, I decided to continue.”

古文(ancient writing)

子曰：“苗而不秀者有矣夫，秀而不实者有矣夫。”

现代汉语浅译(modern Chinese translation)

孔子说：“长出苗而不出穗的是有的，秀出穗而不结籽的也是有的。”

English translation:

Confucius said: “There are crops that spout and grow up without germinating heads, there are crops that head out without bearing seeds.”

古文(ancient writing)

子曰：“后生可畏，焉知来者之不如今也？四十，五十而无闻焉，斯亦不足畏也已。”

现代汉语浅译(modern Chinese translation)

孔子说：“年青人是值的敬服的，怎么知道将来的人不如现在的人呢？但如果到了四十，五十岁还没有名气，那也就不值得敬服了。”

English translation:

Confucius said: “New generation deserves apprehending. How do we know future generation is not as good as the current? Reaching forty or fifty still unheard of, however, does not worth apprehension.”

古文(ancient writing)

子曰：“法语之言，能无从乎？改之为贵。巽(xun)与之言，能无说乎？绎之为贵。说而不绎，从而不改，吾末如之何也已矣。”

现代汉语浅译(modern Chinese translation)

孔子说：“符合礼法的话，能不听从吗？但只有改正了，才是可贵的。顺耳好听的话，能不使人高兴吗？但只有加以分析才是可贵的。对好听的话不加以分析，只听从但不改正自己，我实在没有什么办法啊。”

English translation:              

Confucius said: “Would you not follow good etiquette advice? Eliminating bad etiquette is valuable. Would you not be pleased at sooth words of endorsement? Analyzing the words is valuable. Happy at without analyzing the words, following good etiquette advice without eliminating bad etiquette, I do not know what to do with such a person.”

古文(ancient writing)

子曰：“三军可夺帅也，匹夫不可夺志也。”

现代汉语浅译(modern Chinese translation)

孔子说：“三大军可以丧失它的主帅，人不可以丢掉他的志气。”

English translation:

Confucius said: “Three armies can be deprived of their commanding general, a person cannot be deprived of aspiration.“

古文(ancient writing)

子曰：“知者不惑，仁者不忧，勇者不惧。”

现代汉语浅译(modern Chinese translation)

孔子说：“有智慧的人不会迷惑，仁厚的人不会忧愁，勇敢的人不会畏惧。”

English translation:

Confucius said: “One with wisdom will not confuse, one with benevolence will have no worry, one with bravery will not be afraid.”

古文(ancient writing)

厩(jiu)焚。子退朝，曰：“伤人乎？”不问马。

现代汉语浅译(modern Chinese translation)

马棚失火焚毁了。孔子从朝廷回来，问：“伤人了吗？”却不问马。

English translation:

A fire destroyed the horse stable. Confucius came home from court and asked: “Did any one get hurt?” No question about horses though.

古文(ancient writing)

司马牛忧曰：“人皆有兄弟，我独亡。”子夏曰：“商闻之矣：‘死生有命，富贵在天。’君子敬而无失，与人恭而有礼，四海之内，皆兄弟也。君子何患乎无兄弟也。”

现代汉语浅译(modern Chinese translation)

司马牛忧愁地说：“别人都有兄弟，唯独我没有。”子夏说：“商听说过：‘死与生是命中注定，财富与社会地位是有上天安排。’君子尊敬别人而没有过失，对人恭敬而有礼貌，天下的人都是兄弟呀。君子何必忧愁没有兄弟呢？”

English translation:

Si Ma Niu said with worry: “All people have brothers but I, have none.” Zi Xia said: “Shang has heard: ‘Death and life are predestined, wealth and social rank are up to sky.’ A gentleperson is respectful without errors, courteous towards others with good rites, all in the four seas would be your brothers. No reason for you to worry no brothers.”

古文(ancient writing)

子贡问政。子曰：“足食，足兵，民信之矣。”子贡曰：“必不得已而去，于斯三者何先？”曰：“去兵。”子贡曰：“必不得以而去，于斯二者何先？”曰：“去食。自古皆有死，民无信不立。”

现代汉语浅译(modern Chinese translation)

子贡问怎样治理国家。孔子说：“有充足的粮食，有充足的军备，人民信任政府啊。”子贡又问：“如果逼不得已而去掉一项，三项中先去掉那一项呢？”孔子说：“去掉军备。”子贡又问：“如果逼不得已还要去掉一项，两项中应去掉那一项呢？”孔子说：“去掉粮食。自古以来人都会死的，但人民不信任政府国家就不能立住脚。”

English translation:

Zi Gong asked about ruling. Confucius said: “Enough food, enough arms, and people’s trust.” Zi Gong asked again: “If one had to be dispensed with, which of the three should be the first?” Confucius said: “Arms.” Zi Gong asked again: “If one had to be dispensed with, which of the two should be the first?” Confucius said: “Food. People must die since the beginning of time. Without people’s trust, a kingdom cannot stand.”

古文(ancient writing)

棘(ji)子成曰：“君子质而已矣，何以文为？”子贡曰：“惜乎，夫子之说君子也！驷不及舌。文犹质也，质犹文也。虎豹之(革享kuo)犹犬羊之(革享)。”

现代汉语浅译(modern Chinese translation)

棘子成说：“君子只要质扑就行了，何必要文采呢？”子贡说：“可惜呀，夫子您竟这样评说君子！舌头一动，话一出口，就是套上四匹马拉的车也追不回呀。文采和质朴一样，质朴就像文采。虎豹的皮革，跟狗羊的皮革很相似了。”

English translation:

Ji Zicheng said: “For a gentleperson substance is all you need, what is the use of art and science?” Zi Gong said: “A pity. How can you talk a gentleperson like this! Moving your tong, words came out your mouth. You will not able to chase them back even with a wagon of four horses. Art and science are the same as substance, substance is just like art and science. Pelts from tigers or leopards are similar to that from dogs and sheep.”

古文(ancient writing)

子曰：“君子成人之美，不成人之恶。小人反是。”

现代汉语浅译(modern Chinese translation)

孔子说：“君子成全别人的好事，不帮人做坏事，小人则相反。”

English translation:

Confucius said: “A gentleperson helps others to accomplish beautiful, but do not accomplice for vice. A petty person, however, does the opposite.”

古文(ancient writing)

曾子曰：“君子以文会友，以友辅仁。”

现代汉语浅译(modern Chinese translation)

曾子说：“君子用谈论交流文学来与朋友交往，依赖朋友来辅助任德。”

English translation:

Zeng Zi said: “A gentleperson socializes friends through art and science, resort friends to shore benevolence.”

古文(ancient writing)

子适卫，冉有扑。子曰：“庶矣哉！”冉有曰：“既庶矣，又何加焉？”子曰：“富之。”曰：“既富之，又何加焉？”曰：“教之。”

现代汉语浅译(modern Chinese translation)

孔子到卫国去，冉有驾车。孔子说：“人真多呀！”冉有说：“人既然很多了，还能增加什么呢？”孔子说：“富起来。”冉有说：“既然富起来了，还能增加什么呢？”孔子说：“教育。”

English translation:

Confucius went to Wei kingdom, Ran You was the carriage coach. Confucius said: “How populous indeed!” Ran You asked: “Now that being populous, what else can we add on?” Confucius said: “Wealth.” Ran You asked again: “Now being wealthy, what else can we add on?” Confucius said: “Education.”

古文(ancient writing)

子曰：“君子和而不同，小人同而不和。”

现代汉语浅译(modern Chinese translation)

孔子说：“君子可以和谐相处，但不会加入小团体干坏事。小人可以加入小团体干坏事，但不会与他人和谐相处。”

English translation:

Confucius said: “A gentleperson is harmonious but not clannish. A petty person is clannish but not harmonious.”

古文(ancient writing)

子曰：“君子易事而难说也。说之不以道，不说也。及其使人也，器之。小人难事而易说也。说之虽不以道，说也。及其使人也，求备焉。”

现代汉语浅译(modern Chinese translation)

孔子说：“给君子做事容易，但却难以讨他的喜欢。用不道义的方法去讨好，他不会喜欢。他用人时，却能按能力去合理安排。给小人做事困难，但却很容易讨好他。用不道义的方法去讨好，他也会喜欢。他用人时，则求全责备。”

English translation:

Confucius said: “Working for a gentleperson is easy, but entertaining a gentleperson is difficult. The person will not be pleased if the entertainment does not comply with Dao (good ethic or moral). When employing others, a gentleperson gives assignment according to people’s capability. Working for a petty person is hard, but entertaining a petty person is easy. The person will be pleased even if the entertainment does not comply with Dao. When employing others, a petty person would find fault with them.

古文(ancient writing)

子曰：“君子泰而不骄。小人骄而不泰。”

现代汉语浅译(modern Chinese translation)

孔子说：“君子安舒坦然而不骄傲，小人骄傲而不安舒坦然。”

English translation:

Confucius said: “A gentleperson is tall and peaceful without arrogance. A petty person is arrogant without height or peace.”

古文(ancient writing)

子曰：“邦有道，危言危行。邦无道，危行言孙。”

现代汉语浅译(modern Chinese translation)

孔子说：“国家有道义时，说话要正直，行为要正直。国家没有道义时，行为要正直，说话要谦逊。”

English translation:

Confucius said: “When Dao (good ethic and moral) exists in a kingdom, you speak righteously and act righteously. When Dao is lacking in a kingdom, you act righteously but talk humbly.”

古文(ancient writing)

或曰：“以德报怨何如？”子曰：“何以报德？以直报怨，以德报德。”

现代汉语浅译(modern Chinese translation)

有人问：“用恩德来报答怨恨怎么样？”孔子说：“那用什么来报答恩得呢？用合理的正义来报答仇怨，用恩德来报答恩德。”

English translation:

When asked: “Repay complaint with virtue, what do you say?” Confucius said: “What to repay virtue? Use fair justice to repay complaint, use virtue to repay virtue.”

古文(ancient writing)

子击磬于卫，有荷蒉(kui)而过孔氏之门者，曰：“有心栽，击磬乎！”既而曰：“鄙哉，坑坑乎！莫己知也，斯己而已矣。‘深则历，浅则揭’。”子曰：“果哉，末之难矣。”

现代汉语浅译(modern Chinese translation)

孔子在卫国敲击磬，有位背着筐子的人路过孔子门口，说：“有心思啊，在击磬。”一会儿又说：“心胸狭窄呀，坑坑地在击磬。没有人能理解自己，那么就算了吧。‘水深，就穿着衣服趟过去；水浅，就撩起衣服趟过去。’”孔子说：“说的果断啊！没有什么困难了。”

English translation:

Confucius was beating a Qing (an instrument) in Wei kingdom. Someone carrying a basket passing by Confucius’ door said: “Got a problem, beating the Qing!” Continued: “Crude, ‘Keng Keng…’ beating the Qing. Nobody understands him, just give up. ‘Cross deep water with clothes on, cross shallow water holding clothes up’.” Confucius said: “Decisively stated, nothing would be difficult.”

古文(ancient writing)

子曰：“可与言而不与之言，失人。不可与言而与之言，失言。知者不失人，亦不失言。”

现代汉语浅译(modern Chinese translation)

孔子说：“可以与他说话却不跟他说，可能失去朋友或人才。不可与他说话却跟他说，就是浪费言语。聪明人即不错过朋友或人才，也不浪费言语。”

English translation:

Confucius said: “Not to speak with a person worth of conversation is to lose the person. To talk to a person not worth of conversation is to waste the words. A wise does not lose a person, nor wastes words.”

古文(ancient writing)

子贡问为仁，子曰：“工欲善其事，必先利其器。居是邦也，事其大夫之贤者，友其士之仁者。”

现代汉语浅译(modern Chinese translation)

子贡问怎样实行仁德，孔子说：“工匠要干好工作，必须先要锋利工具。住在一个国家，要帮大夫中贤慧的人做事，与士人中有仁德的人交朋友。”

English translation:

Zi Gong asked how to be benevolent, Confucius said: “In order to achieve good workmanship, one must sharpen the tools. Living in a kingdom, work for virtuous Dai Fu (a high social rank), befriend with benevolent Shi (rank below Dai Fu).”

古文(ancient writing)

子曰：“人无远虑，必有近忧。”

现代汉语浅译(modern Chinese translation)

孔子说：“一个人如果没有长远的考虑，那么一定会有眼前的忧患。”

English translation:

Confucius said: “A person who does not have a long term plan will have immediate worry.”

古文(ancient writing)

子曰：“巧言乱德，小不忍则乱大谋。”

现代汉语浅译(modern Chinese translation)

孔子说：“巧语辩解扰乱道德，小事不忍则能坏大事。”

English translation:

Confucius said: “Clever argument disorders virtue, Intolerance in small matters will disorder big plans.”

古文(ancient writing)

孔子曰：“益者三友，损者三友。友直，友谅，友多闻，益矣。友便(bian)辟(bi)，友善柔，友便佞(ning)，损矣。”

现代汉语浅译(modern Chinese translation)

孔子说：“有益的朋友有三种，有害的朋友也有三种。与正直的人交朋友，与诚实的人交朋友，与见识多的人交朋友，有益。与孤独的人交朋友，与阿谀奉承的人交朋友，与花言巧语的人交朋友，有害。”

English translation:

Confucius said: “There are three kinds of beneficial friends and three kinds of damaging friends. It benefits to befriend with people of good justice, good integrity, and broad experience. It hurts to befriend with people of lonely, trying too hard at pleasing others, or manipulatively suave.”

古文(ancient writing)

孔子曰：“益者三乐，损者三乐。乐节礼乐，乐道人之善，乐多贤友，益矣。乐骄乐，乐佚(yi)游，乐宴乐，损矣。”

现代汉语浅译(modern Chinese translation)

孔子说：“有益的乐趣有三种，有害的乐趣也有三种。以礼乐的调节为乐趣，以称道别人的友善为乐趣，以多交贤德的朋友为乐趣，有益。以骄奢为乐趣，以闲散为乐趣，以宴饮为乐趣，有害。”English translation:

Confucius said: “There are three kinds of beneficial enjoyment and three kinds of damaging enjoyment. Enjoying regulating with rite music, praising others’ kindness, or many virtuous friends is beneficial. Enjoying arrogance, lazy, or feasts is hurting.”

古文(ancient writing)

孔子曰：“侍与君子有三愆(qian)：言未及之而言谓之躁，言及之而不言谓之隐，未见颜色而言谓之瞽(gu)。”

现代汉语浅译(modern Chinese translation)

孔子说：“为君子做事有三样容易犯的错：话题还没到就说了是急躁；话题到了仍然不说是隐瞒；不看别人的脸色就说是盲目。”

English translation:

Confucius said: “There are three kinds of mistakes when working for a gentleperson: Saying before the conversation subject arrives is rushing; not saying when the subject arrives is concealing; saying without seeing others expression is blind.”

古文(ancient writing)

孔子曰：“君子有三戒：少之时，血气未定，戒之在色，及其壮也，血气方刚，戒之再斗；及其老也，血气既衰，戒之在得。”

现代汉语浅译(modern Chinese translation)

孔子说：“君子有三样要禁戒的事：少年时，血气还未固定，要戒女色；到了壮年，血气正旺盛，要戒争斗；到了老年，血气衰弱，要戒贪得。”

English translation:

Confucius said: “There are three abstentions: When young, the body has not molded yet, abstain beauty of opposite sex; when grown up, the body is full of energy, abstain provocation; when old, the body is weak, abstain acquisitiveness.”

古文(ancient writing)

孔子曰：“生而知之者，上也；学而知之者，次也；困而学之，再其次也；困而不学，民斯为下矣。”

现代汉语浅译(modern Chinese translation)

孔子说：“生来就有知识的人，是上等；学习了才有知识的人，是次等；遇到困难的时候才学习，是又次一等，遇到困难的时候也不学习，这样的人就是下等的了。”

English translation:

Confucius said: “A person born with knowledge is high class; a person gaining knowledge through study is the next class; study only when there is a problem is the next class; a person who does not study even when there is a problem is low class.”

古文(ancient writing)

孔子曰：“君子有九思：视思明，听思聪，色思温，貌思恭，言思忠，事思敬，疑思问，愤思难，见得思义。”

现代汉语浅译(modern Chinese translation)

孔子说：“君子有九件事需要思考：看的时候要想想看清楚没有，听的时候要想想听懂了没有，要想想自己的脸色是否温和，要想想自己的态度是否恭敬，说话时要想想是否忠实，做事时要想想是否认真，有疑惑时要想想是否问过别人了，生气时要想想是否会有什么困难的后果，见到能得到的利益是要想想是否附合道义。”

English translation:

Confucius said: “A gentleperson has nine thoughts: when seeing think a clear picture; when listening think hearing accurately; think whether the countenance is warm; think whether the appearance is solemnly composed and courteous; when speaking think honesty; when serving think respect; in doubt think questioning; when angry think difficult trouble; when acquiring think righteousness.”