Converse

Original Text:

师冕见及阶子曰阶也及席子曰席也皆坐子告之曰某在斯某在斯师冕出子张问曰与师言之道与子曰然固相师之道也

Translation:

Other Translations:

The Music Master Mian came to see Confucius.

When they came to the steps, the Master said, “Here are the steps.” When they reached his seat, the Master said, “Here is your seat.” After everyone was seated, the Master informed him as to who was present, saying, “So-and-so is seated here, and So-and-so is seated over there.”

When the Music Master left, Zizhang asked, “Is this the way to converse with a Music Master?”

The Master replied, “Yes, this is indeed the way to assist a Music Master.”

Confucius, & Slingerland, E. (2003). Analects: With selections from traditional commentaries. Hackett Publishing.

Music Master Mian called on Confucius. When they reached the steps, the Master said, Here are the steps. When they reached the seating mats, the Master said, Here are the mats. After everyone was seated, the Master reported, So-and-so is over here. So-and-so is over there.

After Music Master Mian had left, Zizhang asked, Is that the way one talks to a music master? The Master said, Yes, of course. That’s how one assists a music master.

Confucius, & Watson, B. (2007). The Analects of Confucius. Columbia University Press.