| 祭统: |
贤者之祭也,必受其福。非世所谓福也。福者,备也;备者,百顺之名也。无所不顺者,谓之备。言:内尽于己,而外顺于道也。忠臣以事其君,孝子以事其亲,其本一也。上则顺于鬼神,外则顺于君长,内则以孝于亲。如此之谓备。唯贤者能备,能备然后能祭。是故,贤者之祭也:致其诚信与其忠敬,奉之以物,道之以礼,安之以乐,参之以时。明荐之而已矣。不求其为。此孝子之心也。 |
| Ji Tong: |
The sacrifices of such men have their own blessing;--not indeed what the world calls blessing. Blessing here means perfection;-it is the name given to the complete and natural discharge of all duties. When nothing is left incomplete or improperly discharged;--this is what we call perfection, implying the doing everything that should be done in one's internal self, and externally the performance of everything according to the proper method. There is a fundamental agreement between a loyal subject in his service of his ruler and a filial son in his service of his parents. In the supernal sphere there is a compliance with (what is due to) the repose and expansion of the energies of nature; in the external sphere, a compliance with (what is due) to rulers and elders; in the internal sphere, the filial service of parents;--all this constitutes what is called perfection. It is only the able and virtuous man who can attain to this perfection; and can sacrifice when he has attained to it. Hence in the sacrifices of such a man he brings into exercise all sincerity and good faith, with all right-heartedness and reverence; he offers the (proper) things; accompanies them with the (proper) rites; employs the soothing of music; does everything suitably to the season. Thus intelligently does he offer his sacrifices, without seeking for anything to be gained by them - such is the heart and mind of a filial son. |
| 祭统: |
夫鼎有铭,铭者,自名也。自名以称扬其先祖之美,而明著之后世者也。为先祖者,莫不有美焉,莫不有恶焉,铭之义,称美而不称恶,此孝子孝孙之心也。唯贤者能之。 |
| Ji Tong: |
The tripods (at the sacrifices) had inscriptions on them. The maker of an inscription named himself, and took occasion to praise and set forth the excellent qualities of his ancestors, and clearly exhibit them to future generations. Those ancestors must have had good qualities and also bad. But the idea of an inscription is to make mention of the good qualifies and not of the bad - such is the heart of a filial descendant; and it is only the man of ability and virtue who can attain to it. |