Lun Yu – Les Entretiens de Confucius

Seu ma Gniou ayant interrogé Confucius sur la vertu d'humanité, le Maître répondit : « Il est ardu d'en parler. » Seu ma Gniou dit : « Est-ce donc si difficile de parler de la vertu d'humanité ? » Le Maître répondit : « S'il est difficile de la mettre en pratique, comment ne le serait-il pas d'en parler ? »

Couvreur XII.3.

Caution in speaking a characteristic of perfect virtue:– a conversation with Tsze-niû.
1. Sze-mâ Niû asked about perfect virtue.
2. The Master said, "The man of perfect virtue is cautious and slow in his speech."
3. "Cautious and slow in his speech!" said Niu;– "is this what is meant by perfect virtue?" The Master said, "When a man feels the difficulty of doing, can he be other than cautious and slow in speaking?"

Legge XII.3.

Ssu-ma Niu asked about benevolence. The Master said, 'The mark of the benevolent man is that he is loath to speak.' 'In that case, can a man be said to be benevolent simply because he is loath to speak?' The Master said, 'When to act is difficult, is it any wonder that one is loath to speak? '

Lau [12:3]