The Master discusses with his disciples and unveil his preoccupations with society. Tr. Legge (en), Lau (en) and Couvreur (fr).
Tsze-hsiâ's opinion of the inapplicability of small pursuits to great objects.
Tsze-hsiâ said, "Even in inferior studies and employments there is something worth being looked at; but if it be attempted to carry them out to what is remote, there is a danger of their proving inapplicable. Therefore, the superior man does not practice them."
Legge XIX.4.
Tzu-hsia said, 'Even minor arts are sure to have their worthwhile aspects, but the gentleman does not take them up because the fear of a man who would go a long way is that he should be bogged down.'
Lau [19:4]
Tzeu hia dit : « Les métiers, les arts, même les plus humbles1, ne sont nullement à mépriser. Mais à s'y engager trop loin, il faut craindre de s'y embourber. Pour cette raison l'homme honorable n'exerce pas ces métiers. »
Couvreur XIX.4.
The Analects of Confucius – Lun Yu XIX. 4. (488) – 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
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