Filial conduct

有子曰，其为人也孝弟，而好犯上者鲜矣，不好犯上，而好作乱者，未之有也。君子务本，本立，而道生，孝弟也者，其为仁之本与。

1. The philosopher Yu said, "They are few who, being filial and fraternal, are fond of offending against their superiors. There have been none, who, not liking to offend against their superiors, have been fond of stirring up confusion. 2. "The superior man bends his attention to what is radical.That being established, all practical courses naturally grow up. Filial piety and fraternal submission!—are they not the root of all benevolent actions?"

子曰，弟子，入则孝，出则弟，谨而信，凡爱众，而亲仁，行有余力，则以学文。

The Master said, "A youth, when at home, should be filial, and, abroad, respectful to his elders. He should be earnest and truthful. He should overflow in love to all, and cultivate the friendship of the good. When he has time and opportunity, after the performance of these things, he should employ them in polite studies."

子曰，父在，观其志，父没，观其行，三年无改于父之道，可谓孝矣。

The Master said, "While a man's father is alive, look at the bent of his will; when his father is dead, look at his conduct. If for three years he does not alter from the way of his father, he may be called filial."

孟懿子问孝，子曰，无违。樊迟御，子吿之曰，孟孙问孝于我，我对曰，无违。樊迟曰，何谓也，子曰，生事之以礼，死葬之以礼，祭之以礼。

1. Mang I asked what filial piety was. The Master said, "It is not being disobedient." 2. Soon after, as Fan Ch'ih was driving him, the Master told him, saying, "Mang-sun asked me what filial piety was, and I answered him,—'not being disobedient.'" 3. Fan Ch'ih said, "What did you mean?" The Master replied, "That parents, when alive, be served according to propriety; that, when dead, they should be buried according to propriety; and that they should be sacrificed to according to propriety."

孟武伯问孝，子曰，父母唯其疾之忧。

Mang Wu asked what filial piety was. The Master said, "Parents are anxious lest their children should be sick."

子游问孝，子曰，今之孝者，是谓能养，至于犬马，皆能有养，不敬，何以别乎。

Tsze-yu asked what filial piety was. The Master said, "The filial piety of now-a-days means the support of one's parents. But dogs and horses likewise are able to do something in the way of support;—without reverence, what is there to distinguish the one support given from the other?"

子夏问孝，子曰，色难，有事，弟子服其劳，有酒食，先生馔，曾是以为孝乎。

Tsze-hsia asked what filial piety was. The Master said, "The difficulty is with the countenance. If, when their elders have any troublesome affairs, the young take the toil of them, and if, when the young have wine and food, they set them before their elders, is this to be considered filial piety?"

季康子问使民敬忠以劝，如之何。子曰，临之以庄，则敬，孝慈，则忠，擧善而教不能，则劝。

Chi K'ang asked how to cause the people to reverence their ruler, to be faithful to him, and to go on to nerve themselves to virtue. The Master said, "Let him preside over them with gravity;—then they will reverence him. Let him be filial and kind to all;—then they will be faithful to him. Let him advance the good and teach the incompetent;—then they will eagerly seek to be virtuous."

或谓孔子曰，子奚不为政。子曰，书云孝乎，惟孝友于兄弟，施于有政，是亦为政，奚其为为政。

1. Some one addressed Confucius, saying, "Sir, why are you not engaged in the government?" 2. The Master said, "What does the Shu-ching say of filial piety?—'You are filial, you discharge your brotherly duties. These qualities are displayed in government.' This then also constitutes the exercise of government. Why must there be that —making one be in the government?"

子曰，三年无改于父之道，可谓孝矣。

The Master said, "If the son for three years does not alter from the way of his father, he may be called filial."

子曰，禹吾无间然矣，菲飮食，而致孝乎鬼神，恶衣服，而致美乎黻冕，卑宫室，而尽力乎沟恤，禹吾无间然矣。

The Master said, "I can find no flaw in the character of Yu. He used himself coarse food and drink, but displayed the utmost filial piety towards the spirits. His ordinary garments were poor, but he displayed the utmost elegance in his sacrificial cap and apron. He lived in a low mean house, but expended all his strength on the ditches and water-channels. I can find nothing like a flaw in Yu."

子曰，孝哉闵子骞，人不间于其父母昆弟之言。

The Master said, "Filial indeed is Min Tsze-ch'ien! Other people say nothing of him different from the report of his parents and brothers."

子贡问曰，何如斯可谓之士矣。子曰，行己有耻，使于四方，不辱君命，可谓士矣。曰，敢问其次。曰，宗族称孝焉，乡党称弟焉。曰，敢问其次。曰，言必信，行必果，硁硁然，小人哉，抑亦可以为次矣。曰，今之从政者何如。子曰，噫，斗筲之人，何足算也。

1. Tsze-kung asked, saying, "What qualities must a man possess to entitle him to be called an officer? The Master said, "He who in his conduct of himself maintains a sense of shame, and when sent to any quarter will not disgrace his prince's commission, deserves to be called an officer." 2. Tsze-kung pursued, "I venture to ask who may be placed in the next lower rank?" And he was told, "He whom the circle of his relatives pronounce to be filial, whom his fellow-villagers and neighbours pronounce to be fraternal." 3. Again the disciple asked, "I venture to ask about the class still next in order." The Master said, "They are determined to be sincere in what they say, and to carry out what they do. They are obstinate little men. Yet perhaps they may make the next class." 4. Tsze-kung finally inquired, "Of what sort are those of the present day, who engage in government?" The Master said "Pooh! they are so many pecks and hampers, not worth being taken into account."

曾子曰，吾闻诸夫子，孟庄子之孝也，其他可能也，其不改父之臣，与父之政，是难能也。

The philosopher Tsang said, "I have heard this from our Master:—'The filial piety of Mang Chwang, in other matters, was what other men are competent to, but, as seen in his not changing the ministers of his father, nor his father's mode of government, it is difficult to be attained to.'"