陈亢问于伯鱼章

论语 > 季氏篇

原文

陈亢问于伯鱼曰：“子亦有异闻乎？”对曰：“未也。尝独立，鲤趋而过庭，曰：’学诗乎？’对曰：’未也。’’不学诗，无以言。’鲤退而学诗。他日又独立，鲤趋而过庭，曰：’学礼乎？’对曰：’未也。’’不学礼，无以立。’鲤退而学礼。闻斯二者。”陈亢退而喜曰：“问一得三：闻诗，闻礼，又闻君子之远其子也。”

英译

Chen Kang asked Po Yu, "Have you ever heard anything different from your father's tuition?" Po Yu replied, "Never. Once he stood alone and I hurried through the courtyard, he stopped me and asked, 'Have you ever studied the Poetry?' I replied him, 'I haven't yet, sir.' 'Without studying the Poetry, by no means can you express yourself.' So I went back and started to study the Poetry. On another day, when he stood alone and I and I hurried through the courtyard again, he stopped me and asked, 'Have you ever studied the Rites?' I replied, 'I haven't yet, sir.' 'Without studying the Rites, by no means can you gain yourself a foothold.' So I went back and started to study the Rites. Such are two things I heard from my father." Chen Kang went back, delighted, and said, "I asked for one but got three in return: I am educated of the Poetry, of the Rites, and of how noble keeps their son at arm's length."