Original Text:
季康子患盗问于孔子孔子对曰苟子之不欲虽赏之不窃
Translation:
Other Translations:
Ji Kangzi was concerned about the prevalence of robbers in Lu and asked Confucius about how to deal with this problem.
Confucius said, “If you could just get rid of your own excessive desires, the people would not steal even if you rewarded them for it.”
Confucius, & Slingerland, E. (2003). Analects: With selections from traditional commentaries. Hackett Publishing.
Ji Kangzi was troubled by thieves and asked Confucius for advice. Confucius replied, If you had no desires, then, even if you offered prizes, no one would steal.
Confucius, & Watson, B. (2007). The Analects of Confucius. Columbia University Press.