Original Text:
有子曰其为人也孝弟而好犯上者鲜矣不好犯上而好作乱者未之有也君子务本本立而道生孝弟也者其为仁之本与
Translation:
Other Translations:
Master You said, “A young person who is filial and respectful of his elders rarely becomes the kind of person who is inclined to defy his superiors, and there has never been a case of one who is disinclined to defy his superiors stirring up rebellion. The gentleman applies himself to the roots. ‘Once the roots are firmly established, the Way will grow.’ Might we not say that filial piety and respect for elders constitute the root of Goodness?”
Confucius, & Slingerland, E. (2003). Analects: With selections from traditional commentaries. Hackett Publishing.
Master You said, A man filial to his parents, a good brother, yet apt to go against his superiors – few are like that! The man who doesn’t like to go against his superiors but likes to plot rebellion – no such kind exists! The gentleman operates at the root. When the root is firm, then the Way may proceed. Filial and brotherly conduct – these are the root of humaneness, are they not?
Confucius, & Watson, B. (2007). The Analects of Confucius. Columbia University Press.