| | 曾子问: |
曾子问曰：“大功之丧，可以与于馈奠之事乎？” |
| Zengzi Wen: |
Zeng-zi asked, 'In a case (of the) mourning for nine months, can (the principal) take part in contributing to the offerings (to the dead of others)?' |
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孔子曰：“岂大功耳！自斩衰以下皆可，礼也。” |
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Confucius said, 'Why speak only of (the mourning for) nine months? In all cases from (the mourning for) three years downwards, it may be done. This is the rule.' |
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曾子曰：“不以轻服而重相为乎？” |
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Zeng-zi said, 'Would not this be making the mourning of little importance, and attaching (undue) importance to mutual helpfulness?' |
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孔子曰：“非此之谓也。天子、诸侯之丧，斩衰者奠；大夫，齐衰者奠；士则朋友奠；不足，则取于大功以下者；不足，则反之。” |
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Confucius said, 'This is not what I mean. When there is mourning for the son of Heaven or the prince of a state, (all) who wear the sackcloth with the jagged edges (will contribute to) the offerings. At the mourning of a Great officer, (all) who wear the sackcloth with the even edges will do so. At the mourner of an ordinary officer, his associates and friends will do so. If all these be not sufficient, they may receive contributions from all who should mourn for nine months downwards; and if these be still insufficient, they will repeat the process.' |
| | 曾子问: |
曾子问曰：“相识，有丧服可以与于祭乎？” |
| Zengzi Wen: |
Zeng-zi asked, 'When acquaintances are in mourning, may they participate in one another's sacrifices?' |
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孔子曰：“缌不祭，又何助于人。” |
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Confucius said, 'When wearing the three months' mourning, one has no occasion to sacrifice (in his own ancestral temple), and how should he assist another man (out of his own line)?' |
| | 曾子问: |
曾子问曰：“废丧服，可以与于馈奠之事乎？” |
| Zengzi Wen: |
Zeng-zi asked, 'When one has put off his mourning, may he take part in contributing to the offerings (for the dead of another)?' |
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孔子曰：“说衰与奠，非礼也；以摈相可也。” |
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Confucius said, 'To take part in the offerings (to another's dead), on putting off one's own sackcloth, is contrary to the rule. Possibly, he may perform the part of assisting him in receiving visitors.' |
