Lun Yu – Les Entretiens de Confucius

Confucius dit : « Rechercher le bien, comme si l'on craignait de ne pouvoir y parvenir ; éviter le mal, comme si l'on avait mis la main dans l'eau bouillante ; c'est un principe que j'ai vu mettre en pratique, et que j'ai appris. Vivre dans la retraite à la poursuite de son idéal, pratiquer la justice, afin d'accomplir sa Voie, c'est un principe que j'ai appris, mais que je n'ai encore vu suivi par personne. »

Couvreur XVI.11.

The contemporaries of Confucius could eschew evil, and follow after good, but no one of the highest capacity had appeared among them.
1. Confucius said, "Contemplating good, and pursuing it, as if they could not reach it; contemplating evil! and shrinking from it, as they would from thrusting the hand into boiling water:– I have seen such men, as I have heard such words.
2. "Living in retirement to study their aims, and practicing righteousness to carry out their principles:– I have heard these words, but I have not seen such men."

Legge XVI.11.

Confucius said,' "Seeing what is good I act as if I were in danger of being left behind; seeing what is not good I act as if I were testing hot water." I have met such a man; I have heard such a claim.
'"I live in retirement in order to attain my purpose and practise what is right in order to realize my way." I have heard such a claim, but I have yet to meet such a man.'

Lau [16:11]