The Analects论语

Book 9, Passage 9.24

The Master said, 'Can men refuse to assent to the words of strict admonition? But it is reforming the conduct because of them which is valuable. Can men refuse…

子曰:“法语之言,能无从乎?改之为贵。巽与之言,能无说乎?绎之为贵。”…
All 31 passages in Book 924 of 31
1 sentences · 3 notes
子zǐ曰yuē:“法fǎ语yù之zhī言yán,能néng无wú从cóng乎hū?改gǎi之zhī为wéi贵guì。巽xùn与yǔ之zhī言yán,能néng无wú说shuō乎hū?绎yì之zhī为wéi贵guì。说shuō而ér不bù绎yì,从cóng而ér不bù改gǎi,吾wú末mò如rú之zhī何hé也yě已yǐ矣yǐ。”

1The Master said, 'Can men refuse to assent to the words of strict admonition? But it is reforming the conduct because of them which is valuable. Can men refuse to be pleased with words of gentle advice? But it is unfolding their aim which is valuable. If a man be pleased with these words, but does not unfold their aim, and assents to those, but does not reform his conduct, I can really do nothing with him.'

Chinese commentary · 3 notes

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

法:正道。

巽:恭敬,即恭顺谦敬之言‘意译为温和委婉的表扬话。’

绎:抽出事物的条理,加以分析鉴别。

All 31 passages in Book 9