Lun Yu – Les Entretiens de Confucius

Tseng tzeu mourant reçut la visite de Meng King tzeu1. Prenant la parole, il lui dit : « L'oiseau qui va mourir crie d'une voix plaintive ; quand un homme va mourir ses paroles sont authentiques. Un homme honorable a surtout soin de trois choses : éviter la violence et l'insolence dans ses attitudes et dans ses gestes, garder une expression qui inspire confiance, prendre un ton dénué de vulgarité et de bassesse. Pour ce qui est des vases rituels de bambou ou de bois, il y a des officiers pour en prendre soin. »

Couvreur VIII.4.

The philosopher Tsang's dying counsels to a man of high rank.
1. The philosopher Tsang being ill, Meng Chang went to ask how he was.
2. Tsang said to him, "When a bird is about to die, its notes are mournful; when a man is about to die, his words are good.
3. "There are three principles of conduct which the man of high rank should consider specially important:– that in his deportment and manner he keep from violence and heedlessness; that in regulating his countenance he keep near to sincerity; and that in his words and tones he keep far from lowness and impropriety. As to such matters as attending to the sacrificial vessels, there are the proper officers for them."

Legge VIII.4.

Tseng Tzu was seriously ill. When Meng Ching Tzu visited him, this was what Tseng Tzu said,
'Sad is the cry of a dying bird;
Good are the words of a dying man. There are three things which the gentleman values most in the Way: to stay clear of violence by putting on a serious countenance, to come close to being trusted by setting a proper expression on his face, and to avoid being boorish and unreasonable by speaking in proper tones. As for the business of sacrificial vessels, there are officials responsible for that.'

Lau [8:4]