The Analects of Confucius is the second most important thing about politics

Original text

2.5 Meng Yizi (1) asked about filial piety, and the Confucius said: "No violation. (2)" Fan Chi (3) Yu (4), Confucius told him: "Meng Sun (5) asked me about his filial piety, and I said nothing against him." Fan Chi said: "What does it mean?" Confucius said: "Sheng, do things with etiquette. ; Death, burial with etiquette, sacrifice with etiquette."

Notes

(1) Meng Yizi: a senior official in the state of Lu, one of the three families, his surname was Zhongsun, his given name was He Ji. , "Yi" is a posthumous title. Before his father died, he asked him to learn etiquette from Confucius.

(2) Wubi: Don't violate it.

(3) Fan Chi: surnamed Fan Mingxu, courtesy name Zichi. A disciple of Confucius, 46 years younger than Confucius. He and Ran Qiu helped Ji Kangzi carry out reforms.

(4) Royal: driving a carriage.

(5) Meng Sun: refers to Meng Yizi.

Translation

Meng Yizi asked what filial piety is, and Confucius said: "Filial piety means not violating etiquette." Later Fan Chi drove Confucius, and Confucius said Tell him: "Meng Sun asked me what filial piety is, and I told him not to violate etiquette." Fan Chi said: "What does it mean not to violate etiquette?" Confucius said: "While your parents are alive, you must serve them according to etiquette. After the death of parents, they should be buried according to etiquette and sacrificed to them."

Commentary

Confucius attached great importance to filial piety and required people to be filial to their parents, whether they were alive or dead. This should be the case. But what is emphasized here is that when performing filial piety, one should not violate the provisions of etiquette, otherwise it is not true filial piety. It can be seen that filial piety is not empty and arbitrary. It must be subject to the provisions of etiquette. Acting according to etiquette is filial piety.< /p>

Original text

2.6 Meng Wubo (1) asked about filial piety, and Confucius said: "My parents only worry about their illness (2)."

Comments

(1) Meng Wubo: Meng Yizi’s son, named Zhi. Wu is his posthumous name.

(2) Parents are only worried about their illness: qi, pronoun, refers to parents. Disease, disease < /p>

Commentary

This chapter is Confucius’s answer to Meng Yizi’s son’s question about filial piety. There have always been three explanations for what Confucius said here about parents only worrying about their illness: 1. Parents love their children. , doing everything possible, lest they are sick, children can understand their parents' feelings and be extra cautious in their daily lives. This is filial piety. 2. As children, parents only need to worry when they are sick, but in other aspects There is no need to worry, which shows the parent-child affection. 3. Children only need to worry about their parents’ illness and do not need to worry too much about other aspects. This article adopts the third statement.

Original text

2·7 Ziyou (1) asked about filial piety, and the Master said: "Today, filial piety means being able to raise people. As for dogs and horses, they can be raised (2). If you are disrespectful, why should you be different?"

Notes

(1) Ziyou: surname Yan, given name Ziyou, from Wu, 45 years younger than Confucius.

(2) Yang: pronounced yàng.

Translation

Ziyou asked what filial piety is, and Confucius said: "The so-called filial piety today only means being able to support your parents. However, even dogs and horses can be raised. If If you don't intend to honor your parents, what's the difference between supporting your parents and raising dogs and horses?"

Comments

This article still talks about the issue of filial piety. Regarding "As for dogs and horses, both can be raised. "There have always been several different explanations for the sentence. One is that dogs guard gates, horses carry carts, and can also serve people; the other is that dogs and horses can also be fed by people. This article adopts the latter view, and it is difficult to explain this. More appropriate.

Original text

2·8 Zixia asked about filial piety, and Zi said: "It is difficult to look at the color (1). When there is something to do, the disciple will do his duty (2); if there is wine and food, Sir (3) Food (4), have you ever thought you were filial?"

Notes

(1) Color is difficult: Color, complexion. Difficult, not easy.

(2) Serve: serve, engage in, bear responsibility. Serving means serving.

(3) Sir: Sir refers to the elders or parents; the disciple mentioned above refers to the younger generation and children

Women, etc.

(4) Food: The sound is zhuàn, which means food, drink.

Translation

Zixia asked what filial piety is, and Confucius said: " (Children should be filial). The most difficult thing is to be kind to parents. If there are things, children need to do it for their parents. If they have food and wine, let their parents eat. Can you think that this can be considered filial piety? "?"

Comments

Chapters 5, 6, 7, and 8 of this article are all about Confucius discussing issues related to filial piety. The filial piety advocated by Confucius is reflected in various aspects and various levels, reflecting the needs of the patriarchal system and adapting to the needs of the society at that time. A unique idea is to not only serve your parents formally according to the principles of Zhouli, but also to truly honor your parents from the bottom of your heart .