論 語 Lun Yu – The Analects of Confucius

祭如在、祭神如神在。子曰‘吾不與祭、如不祭’

原文 52

Confucius's own sincerity in sacrificing.
1. He sacrificed to the dead, as if they were present. He sacrificed to the spirits, as if the spirits were present.
2. The Master said, "I consider my not being present at the sacrifice, as if I did not sacrifice."

Legge III.12.

'Sacrifice as if present' is taken to mean 'sacrifice to the gods as if gods were present.'
The Master, however, said, 'Unless I take part in a sacrifice, it is as if I did not sacrifice.

Lau [3:12]

Confucius faisait des offrandes à ses parents défunts et aux esprits tutélaires, comme s'il les avait vus présents. Il disait : « Un sacrifice auquel je n'assisterais pas en personne, et que je ferais offrir par un autre, ne me paraîtrait pas un sacrifice véritable. »

Couvreur III.12.