| 曾子問: |
曾子問曰:「大功之喪,可以與於饋奠之事乎?」 |
| 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:「豈大功耳!自斬衰以下皆可,禮也。」 |
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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:「不以輕服而重相為乎?」 |
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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:「非此之謂也。天子、諸侯之喪,斬衰者奠;大夫,齊衰者奠;士則朋友奠;不足,則取於大功以下者;不足,則反之。」 |
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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.' |