100 Sayings of Confucius: Chinese-English Translation

Author: Translator: Ding Wangdao
Editor-in-Chief: Han Jianrong
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 1999-02-01
Features:
Editor's Note: Publisher's Note
The "One Hundred Series" was originally published in Hong Kong by The Commercial Press (Hong Kong) Limited. To meet the needs of mainland Chinese readers for learning English, we have entered into a co-publishing agreement with The Commercial Press (Hong Kong) Limited. After publishing the English-Chinese edition of the "One Hundred Series," we have now made necessary editorial revisions to the Chinese-English edition, converted traditional characters to simplified characters, and published it in mainland China. This is to be noted.
China Foreign Languages Press
Translator's Introduction
Ding Wangdao is a professor at the Department of English, Beijing Foreign Studies University, where he teaches British and American literature, English stylistics, English writing, translation, and Chinese culture. He previously served as the Secretary-General of the China English Teaching Research Association (1982–1985). The books he has written or co-authored include: Selected Readings in Contemporary English Prose (Beijing, 1980), A Handbook of English Writing (Beijing, 1984), An Introduction to English Stylistics (Beijing, 1987), One Hundred Chinese Myths and Folktales (Hong Kong, 1988), An Introduction to English Poetry (Shanghai, 1989), etc.
Excerpt:
One - Restraint and Ritual as Benevolence
Yan Yuan asked about benevolence. The Master said, "To restrain oneself and practice ritual is benevolence. Once one does this, the entire world can be embraced in one's benevolent heart. To practice benevolence depends on oneself—how can it depend on others?" Yan Yuan said, "May I ask about the specific rules?" The Master said, "Do not look if it does not conform to ritual; do not listen if it does not conform to ritual; do not speak if it does not conform to ritual; and do not act if it does not conform to ritual." Yan Yuan said, "Although I am not bright, please allow me to act according to your instructions." (12.1)
The Meaning of Humanity
Yan Yuan asked about humanity. The Master said, "Humanity means to restrain oneself and observe the rites. Once one does this, the whole world will be embraced in one's humane mind. To practice humanity depends on oneself—how can it depend on anyone else?" Yan Yuan said, "May I ask about the specific rules?" The Master said, "One should not look if it does not conform to the rites; one should not listen if it does not conform to the rites; one should not speak if it does not conform to the rites, and one should not act if it does not conform to the rites." Yan Yuan said, "Although I am not bright, please allow me to behave according to your instructions." (12.1)