Original Text:
或问禘之说子曰不知也知其说者之于天下也其如示诸斯乎指其掌
Translation:
Other Translations:
Someone asked for an explanation of the di sacrifice. The Master said, “I do not understand it. One who understood it could handle the world as if he had it right here,” and he pointed to the palm of his hand.
Confucius, & Slingerland, E. (2003). Analects: With selections from traditional commentaries. Hackett Publishing.
Someone asked about the meaning of the ancestral sacrifice. The Master said, I don’t know. Someone who knew its meaning would understand all the affairs of the world as if they were displayed right here – and he pointed to his palm.
Confucius, & Watson, B. (2007). The Analects of Confucius. Columbia University Press.