Lun Yu – Les Entretiens de Confucius

Ki Tzeu tch'eng1 dit : « L'homme honorable l'est par nature. Qu'a-t-il à faire de la culture ? » Tzeu koung répondit : « C'est bien dommage ! Vous parlez ordinairement, Seigneur, en homme honorable. Un quadrige ne saurait aller aussi vite que votre langue2. Culture et nature sont indissociables l'une de l'autre. Une peau de tigre ou de léopard ne se distingue pas d'une peau de chien ou de brebis, quand le poil est raclé3. »

Couvreur XII.8.

Substantial qualities and accomplishments in the Chün-tsze.
1. Chî Tsze-ch'ang said, "In a superior man it is only the substantial qualities which are wanted;– why should we seek for ornamental accomplishments?"
2. Tsze-kung said, "Alas! Your words, sir, show you to be a superior man, but four horses cannot overtake the tongue.
3. "Ornament is as substance; substance is as ornament. The hide of a tiger or a leopard stripped of its hair, is like the hide of a dog or a goat stripped of its hair."

Legge XII.8.

Chi Tzu-ch'eng said, 'The important thing about the gentleman is the stuff he is made of. What does he need refinement for?' Tzu-kung commented, 'It is a pity that the gentleman should have spoken so about the gentleman. "A team of horses cannot catch up with one's tongue." The stuff is no different from refinement; refinement is no different from the stuff. The pelt of a tiger or a leopard, shorn of hair, is no different from that of a dog or a sheep.'

Lau [12:8]