Original Text:
子游问孝子曰今之孝者是谓能养至于犬马皆能有养不敬何以别乎
Translation:
Other Translations:
Ziyou asked about filial piety. The Master said, “Nowadays ‘filial’ means simply being able to provide one’s parents with nourishment. But even dogs and horses are provided with nourishment. If you are not respectful, wherein lies the difference?”
Confucius, & Slingerland, E. (2003). Analects: With selections from traditional commentaries. Hackett Publishing.
Ziyou asked about filial devotion. The Master said, Nowadays it’s taken to mean just seeing that one’s parents get enough to eat. But we do that much for dogs or horses as well. If there is no reverence, how is it any different?
Confucius, & Watson, B. (2007). The Analects of Confucius. Columbia University Press.