Funeral

Analects 10.25

Original Text:

见齐衰者虽狎必变见冕者与瞽者虽亵必以貌凶服者式之式负版者有盛馔必变色而作迅雷风烈必变

Translation:

Other Translations:

When he saw someone fasting or mourning, he invariably assumed a changed expression, even if they were an intimate acquaintance. When he saw someone wearing a ritual cap or a blind person, he would invariably display a respectful countenance, even if they were of low birth.

When riding past someone dressed in funeral garb, he would bow down and grasp the crossbar of his carriage. He would do so even if the mourner was a lowly peddler.

When presented food with full ritual propriety, he would invariably assume a solemn expression and rise from his seat.

He would also assume a solemn expression upon hearing a sudden clap of thunder or observing a fierce wind.

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

If the Master saw someone in deep mourning, even though it was a person he was familiar with, he always changed his attitude. If he saw someone in a ceremonial cap or a blind person, even someone he knew well, he invariably assumed an appropriate bearing.

If he saw a person in mourning, he bowed from the crossbar of his carriage, and he would likewise bow from his carriage to a person carrying population registers.

Confronted with a sumptuous feast, he invariably changed his expression and rose to his feet. At a sudden clap of thunder or a blast of wind, he would invariably change his posture.

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

Analects 10.22

Original Text:

朋友死无所归曰于我殡

Translation:

Other Translations:

When a friend died without relatives able to take care of the funeral arrangements, he would say, “I will see to burying him properly.”

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

If a friend died and there was no one to receive the body, the Master would say, Let me handle the funeral proceedings.

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

Analects 9.16

Original Text:

子曰出则事公卿入则事父兄丧事不敢不勉不为酒困何有于我哉

Translation:

Other Translations:

The Master said, “When in public, serving the Duke and his ministers; when at home, serving my father and elders; not daring to not exert myself to the utmost in performing funerary tasks; and not allowing myself to be befuddled by wine—these sorts of things present me with no trouble.”

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

The Master said, In public life serving lords and high ministers; at home serving father and elder brothers; when there is a funeral, never daring to be remiss; never getting drunk and unruly—this much I can manage.

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

Analects 9.12

Original Text:

子疾病子路使门人为臣病间曰久矣哉由之行诈也无臣而为有臣吾谁欺欺天乎且予与其死于臣之手也无宁死于二三子之手乎且予纵不得大葬予死于道路乎

Translation:

Other Translations:

The Master was gravely ill, and Zilu instructed his fellow disciples to attend Confucius as if the disciples were his ministers.

During a remission in his illness, the Master [became aware of what was happening and] rebuked Zilu, saying, “It has been quite some time now, has it not, that you have been carrying out this charade! If I have no ministers and yet you act as if I have, who do you think I am going to fool? Am I going to fool Heaven? Moreover, would I not rather die in the arms of a few of my disciples than in the arms of ministers? Even if I do not merit a grand funeral, it is not as if I would be left to die by the side of the road!”

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

The Master was gravely ill. Zilu directed the disciples to attend him in the manner of retainers.

When the Master had recovered somewhat, he said, How long you go on, You, practicing these deceptions! To pretend that I have retainers when I have no retainers—who would I be deceiving? Would I be deceiving Heaven? Moreover, rather than dying in the hands of retainers, isn’t it better that I die in the hands of you, my disciples? And although I may not be entitled to a grand funeral, it’s not as though I were dying by the roadside, is it?

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

Analects 3.4

Original Text:

林放问礼之本子曰大哉问礼与其奢也宁俭丧与其易也宁戚

Translation:

Other Translations:

Lin Fang asked about the roots of ritual.

The Master exclaimed, “What a noble question! When it comes to ritual, it is better to be pare than extravagant. When it comes to mourning, it is better to be excessively sorrowful than fastidious.”

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

Lin Fang asked what is basic in ritual. The Master said, A big question indeed! In rites in general, rather than extravagance, better frugality. In funeral rites, rather than thoroughness, better real grief.”

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