The Master discusses with his disciples and unveil his preoccupations with society. Tr. Legge (en), Lau (en) and Couvreur (fr).
The benevolent exercise their benevolence with prudence.
Tsâi Wo asked, saying, "A benevolent man, though it be told him, – 'There is a man in the well" will go in after him, I suppose." Confucius said, "Why should he do so? A superior man may be made to go to the well, but he cannot be made to go down into it. He may be imposed upon, but he cannot be fooled."
Legge VI.24.
Tsai Wo asked, 'If a benevolent man was told that there was another benevolent man in the well, would he, nevertheless, go and join him?'
The Master said, 'Why should that be the case? A gentleman can be sent there, but cannot be lured into a trap. He can be deceived, but cannot be duped.'
Lau [6:26]
Tsai Ngo dit : « Un homme honorable auquel on annoncerait que la vertu d'humanité est au fond d'un puits, y descendrait-il pour la chercher ? » Le Maître dit : « Pourquoi agirait-il ainsi ? Un homme honorable, en recevant cette annonce, pourra se déterminer à aller au bord du puits, mais ne s'y jettera pas lui-même. Il pourra être trompé, mais non être aveuglé. »
Couvreur VI.24.
The Analects of Confucius – Lun Yu VI. 26. (146) – Chinese off/on – 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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