Original Text:
子曰古者言之不出耻躬之不逮也
Translation:
Other Translations:
The Master said, “People in ancient times were not eager to speak, because they would be ashamed if their actions did not measure up to their words.”
Confucius, & Slingerland, E. (2003). Analects: With selections from traditional commentaries. Hackett Publishing.
The Master said, People in old times were sparing in their words. They were ashamed to think that their actions might not measure up.
Confucius, & Watson, B. (2007). The Analects of Confucius. Columbia University Press.