The Master discusses with his disciples and unveil his preoccupations with society. Tr. Legge (en), Lau (en) and Couvreur (fr).
Conduct that will be appreciated in all parts of the world.
1. Tsze-chang asked how a man should conduct himself, so as to be everywhere appreciated.
2. The Master said, "Let his words be sincere and truthful and his actions honorable and careful;– such conduct may be practiced among the rude tribes of the South or the North. If his words be not sincere and truthful, and his actions not honorable and careful, will he, with such conduct, be appreciated, even in his neighborhood?
3. "When he is standing, let him see those two things, as it were, fronting him. When he is in a carriage, let him see them attached to the yoke. Then may he subsequently carry them into practice."
4. Tsze-chang wrote these counsels on the end of his sash.
Tzu-chang asked about going forward without obstruction. The Master said, 'If in word you are conscientious and trustworthy and in deed singleminded and reverent, then even in the lands of the bar- barians you will go forward without obstruction. But if you fail to be conscientious and trustworthy in word or to be singleminded and reverent in deed, then can you be sure of going forward without obstruction even in your own neighbourhood? When you stand you should have this ideal there in front of you, and when you are in your carriage you should see it leaning against the handle-bar. Only then are you sure to go forward without obstruction.' Tzu-chang wrote this down on his sash.
Tzeu tchang demanda comment agir. Le Maître répondit : « Sois loyal et digne de confiance dans tes paroles, sérieux et circonspect dans tes actions, et tu pourras œuvrer, même au milieu des barbares du Sud ou du Nord. Si tu n'es ni loyal ni digne de foi dans tes paroles, ni prudent ni circonspect dans tes actions, que pourras-tu faire, même dans un village ? Debout [prêt à agir], aie ces paroles devant les yeux. En char, applique-les à ton timon. Par ce moyen, tu pourras œuvrer. » Tzeu tchang les inscrivit sur sa ceinture.
The Analects of Confucius – Lun Yu XV. 6. (397) – Chinese on/off – Français/English
Alias the Lunyu, the Lun Yü, the Analects, les Entretiens du maître avec ses disciples.
The Book of Odes, The Analects, Great Learning, Doctrine of the Mean, Three-characters book, The Book of Changes, The Way and its Power, 300 Tang Poems, The Art of War, Thirty-Six Strategies
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