The Analects论语

Book 1, Passage 1.12

The philosopher Yu said, 'In practising the rules of propriety, a natural ease is to be prized. In the ways prescribed by the ancient kings, this is the…

有子曰:“礼之用,和为贵。先王之道,斯为美,小大由之。有所不行,”…
All 16 passages in Book 112 of 16
2 sentences · 1 notes
有yǒu子zǐ曰yuē:“礼lǐ之zhī用yòng,和hé为wéi贵guì。先xiān王wáng之zhī道dào,斯sī为wéi美měi,小xiǎo大dà由yóu之zhī。有yǒu所suǒ不bù行xíng,知zhī和hé而ér和hé,不bù以yǐ礼lǐ节jié之zhī,亦yì不bù可kě行xíng也yě。”

1The philosopher Yu said, 'In practising the rules of propriety, a natural ease is to be prized. In the ways prescribed by the ancient kings, this is the excellent quality, and in things small and great we follow them.

2'Yet it is not to be observed in all cases. If one, knowing how such ease should be prized, manifests it, without regulating it by the rules of propriety, this likewise is not to be done.'

Chinese commentary · 1 notes

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

先王之道:指的是古代圣王治国之道。

All 16 passages in Book 1