The Master discusses with his disciples and unveil his preoccupations with society. Tr. Legge (en), Lau (en) and Couvreur (fr).
The object of ceremonies should regulate them:– against formalism.
1. Lin Fang asked what was the first thing to be attended to in ceremonies.
2. The Master said, "A great question indeed!
3. "In festive ceremonies, it is better to be sparing than extravagant. In the ceremonies of mourning, it is better that there be deep sorrow than a minute attention to observances."
Legge III.4.
Lin Fang asked about the basis of the rites. The Master said, 'A noble question indeed! With the rites, it is better to err on the side of frugality than on the side of extravagance; in mourning, it is better to err on the side of grief than on the side of formality.'
Lau [3:4]
Lin Fang ayant demandé quelle était la chose la plus nécessaire dans les cérémonies, le Maître répondit : « Oh ! que cette question est importante ! Dans les démonstrations extérieures, il vaut mieux rester en deçà des limites que de les dépasser ; dans les cérémonies funèbres, la douleur vaut mieux qu'un appareil pompeux. »
Couvreur III.4.
The Analects of Confucius – Lun Yu III. 4. (44) – Chinese off/on – Français/English
Alias the Lunyu, the Lun Yü, the Analects, les Entretiens du maître avec ses disciples.
The Book of Odes, The Analects, Great Learning, Doctrine of the Mean, Three-characters book, The Book of Changes, The Way and its Power, 300 Tang Poems, The Art of War, Thirty-Six Strategies
Welcome, help, notes, introduction, table.
Index – Contact – Top