Lun Yu – Les Entretiens de Confucius

Le Maître dit : « Celui qui ne connaît pas le Décret céleste1 ne saurait être un homme honorable. Celui qui ne connaît pas les règles et les usages ne saurait s'affermir. Celui qui ne connaît pas le sens des propos, ne peut connaître les hommes. »

Couvreur XX.3.

The ordinances of Heaven, the rules of Propriety, and the force of Words, all necessary to be known.
1. The Master said, "Without recognizing the ordinances of Heaven, it is impossible to be a superior man.
2. "Without an acquaintance with the rules of Propriety, it is impossible for the character to be established.
3. "Without knowing the force of words, it is impossible to know men."

Legge XX.3.

Confucius said, 'A man has no way of becoming a gentleman unless he understands Destiny; he has no way of taking his stand unless he understands the rites; he has no way of judging men unless he understands words.'

Lau [20:3]