| | 哀公問政: |
哀公問政於孔子。孔子對曰：文武之政，布在方策，其人存，則其政舉，其人亡，則其政息，故為政在於得人，取人以身，修身以道，修道以仁，仁者人也。親親為大，義者宜也。尊賢為大，親親之殺，尊賢之等，禮所生也。是以君子不可以不修身，思修身，不可以不事親，思事親，不可以不知人，思知人，不可以不知天，天下之達道有五，其所以行之者三，曰君臣也。父子也。夫婦也。昆弟也。朋友之交也。五者，天下之達道也。智，仁，勇，三者，天下之達德也。所以行之者一也。或生而知之，或學而知之，或困而知之，及其知之一也。或安而行之，或利而行之，或勉强而行之，及其成功一也。好學近於智，力行近於仁，知耻近於勇，知斯三者，則知所以修身，知所以修身，則知所以治人，知所以治人，則能成天下國家矣。 |
| | Duke Ai asked Confucius about governance. Confucius replied, "The policies of Wen and Wu are recorded in written documents. When the right person is present, their policies will be implemented; when that person is gone, those policies will cease. Therefore, governing lies in acquiring the right people. To select people, one must set an example oneself; to cultivate oneself, one follows the Way; to follow the Way, one practices benevolence. A benevolent person is a human being indeed." Honoring one's relatives is most important; righteousness means acting appropriately. Respecting the virtuous is of greatest importance. The distinctions in honoring relatives and the hierarchy in respecting the virtuous are what give rise to rites. Therefore, a gentleman cannot fail to cultivate himself. To think of cultivating oneself, one cannot avoid serving one's parents; to think of serving one's parents, one must understand people; to seek understanding of people, one must know Heaven. There are five universal principles in the world, and three means by which they are practiced: that of ruler and minister. Father and son. Husband and wife. Elder and younger brothers. The bond between friends. These five relationships are the universal principles of the world. Wisdom, benevolence, and courage—these three are the universal virtues of the world. The means by which they are put into practice is one: sincerity of intent. Some people are born with knowledge, some learn to know it, and others come to understand through hardship; but when they attain understanding, it is the same. Some act with ease, some for benefit, and others through effort; but when success is achieved, it is the same. Loving learning is close to wisdom, striving in action is close to benevolence, knowing shame is close to courage. Knowing these three things means understanding how to cultivate oneself; understanding how to cultivate oneself means understanding how to govern others; and understanding how to govern others enables one to achieve harmony for the state and the world.
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| | 哀公問政: |
公曰：政其盡此而已乎。孔子曰：凡為天下國家者，有九經焉。曰修身也。尊賢也。親親也。敬大臣也。體羣臣也。子庶人也。來百工也。柔遠人也。懷諸侯也。修身則道立，尊賢則不惑，親親則諸父昆弟不怨，敬大臣，則不眩，體羣臣，則士之報禮重，子庶民，則百姓勸，來百工，則財用足，柔遠人，則四方歸之，懷諸侯，則天下畏之。公曰：為之奈何。孔子曰：齊莊盛服，非禮不動，所以修身也。去讒遠色，賤貨而貴德，所以尊賢也。爵其能，重其禄，同其好惡，所以篤親親也。官盛任使，所以敬大臣也。忠信重禄，所以勸士也。時使薄斂，所以子百姓也。日省月考，既禀稱事，所以來百工也。送往迎來，嘉善而矜不能，所以綏遠人也。繼絕世，舉廢邦，朝聘以時，厚往而薄來，所以懷諸侯也。治天下國家有九經焉。其所以行之者一也。凡事豫則立，不豫則廢，言前定則不跲，事前定，則不困，行前定，則不疚，道前定，則不窮。公曰：子之教寡人備矣。敢問行之所始。孔子曰：立愛自親始，教民睦也。立敬自長始，教民順也。教以慈睦而民貴有親，教以敬長而民貴用命，民既孝於親，又順以聽命，措諸天下，無所不行。 |
| | Duke Gong said, "Is governance merely about these things?" Confucius said, "In governing the world and a state, there are nine fundamental principles." The first is cultivating oneself. Respecting the virtuous. Honoring one's relatives. Respecting high ministers. Treating all officials with consideration. Caring for common people. Attracting artisans and craftsmen. Winning over distant peoples with gentleness. Winning the hearts of feudal lords. Cultivating oneself establishes the Way; respecting the virtuous brings clarity of mind. Honoring one's relatives ensures that uncles and brothers do not resent you. Respecting high ministers prevents confusion in governance. Treating all officials with consideration leads to earnestness in their return of respect. Caring for common people encourages the populace to be diligent. Attracting artisans ensures sufficient resources. Winning over distant peoples brings them under your influence, and winning the hearts of feudal lords makes the whole world fear you. Duke Gong asked, "How should one do this?" Confucius said, "Maintaining solemn decorum and proper attire, and not acting unless in accordance with rites—this is how one cultivates oneself." Rejecting slander and keeping away from beauty, valuing virtue over wealth—this is how one respects the virtuous. Bestowing ranks according to ability, granting generous salaries, and sharing likes and dislikes—this is how one strengthens bonds with relatives. Granting important positions and entrusting them with responsibilities—this is how one shows respect to high ministers. Rewarding loyalty and trustworthiness with generous salaries—this is how one encourages officials. Timing labor demands and keeping levies light—this is how one cares for the common people. Daily inspections and monthly evaluations, assigning tasks according to their abilities—this is how one attracts artisans and craftsmen. Welcoming newcomers and seeing off departing ones, praising the virtuous while showing compassion for those lacking ability—this is how one pacifies distant peoples. Reviving extinct lineages, restoring fallen states, conducting court visits and diplomatic missions on schedule, giving generously while receiving sparingly—this is how one wins the hearts of feudal lords. Governing the world and a state involves nine fundamental principles. The means by which these are carried out is one: sincerity of intent. In all matters, preparation ensures success; without it, failure follows. When speech is prearranged, one will not stumble. When affairs are planned in advance, one is not trapped; when actions are decided beforehand, one feels no regret. When the Way is determined ahead of time, one does not find oneself in a dead end. Duke Gong said, "Your teachings to me are complete and thorough." I dare ask: where should one begin in putting these into practice? Confucius said, "Establishing love begins with one's relatives; this teaches the people to be harmonious." Establishing respect begins with honoring elders; this teaches the people obedience. Teaching kindness and harmony makes the people value family bonds; teaching respect for elders makes them value following orders. When the people are filial to their parents and obedient in carrying out commands, such a way of governance can be applied throughout the world without failure.
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