Book 3, Passage 3.12

He sacrificed to the dead, as if they were present. He sacrificed to the spirits, as if the spirits were present.

祭如在，祭神如神在。子曰：“吾不与祭，如不祭。”

All 26 passages in Book 312 of 26

2 sentences · 2 notes

祭jì如rú在zài，祭jì神shén如rú神shén在zài。子zǐ曰yuē：“吾wú不bù与yǔ祭jì，如rú不bù祭jì。”

1He sacrificed to the dead, as if they were present. He sacrificed to the spirits, as if the spirits were present.

2The Master said, 'I consider my not being present at the sacrifice, as if I did not sacrifice.'

Chinese commentary · 2 notes

The notes printed with this passage in Chinese editions, kept in Chinese, for readers who come to the text that way.

祭如在：祭祀祖先时，好像祖先真的就在前面。祭，祭祀。在，存在，这里指活着。

与：参与。