Original Text:
原壤夷俟子曰幼而不孙弟长而无述焉老而不死是为贼以杖叩其胫
Translation:
Other Translations:
Yuan Rang sat casually, with his legs sprawled out, waiting for Confucius.
On seeing him, the Master remarked, “A young man devoid of humility and respect for his elders will grow into an adult who contributes nothing to his community. Growing older and older without the dignity to pass away, he becomes a burden on society.” He then rapped him on the shin with his staff.
Confucius, & Slingerland, E. (2003). Analects: With selections from traditional commentaries. Hackett Publishing.
Yuan Rang sat waiting for Confucius in a slovenly posture. The Master said, Young but not properly submissive, grown and no one speaks well of you, old and you still don’t die—a real pest!
He rapped on Yuan’s shins with his cane.
Confucius, & Watson, B. (2007). The Analects of Confucius. Columbia University Press.