Original Text:
子曰能以礼让为国乎何有不能以礼让为国如礼何
Translation:
Other Translations:
The Master said, “If a person is able to govern the state by means of ritual propriety and deference, what difficulties will he encounter? If, on the other hand, a person is not able to govern the state through ritual propriety and deference, of what use are the rites to him?”
Confucius, & Slingerland, E. (2003). Analects: With selections from traditional commentaries. Hackett Publishing.
The Master said, Can you govern the state with ritual and a deferential approach? then you will have no difficulty. If you cannot govern the state with ritual and a deferential approach, then what use is ritual alone?
Confucius, & Watson, B. (2007). The Analects of Confucius. Columbia University Press.