Impose

Original Text:

仲弓问仁子曰出门如见大宾使民如承大祭己所不欲勿施于人在邦无怨在家无怨仲弓曰雍虽不敏请事斯语矣

Translation:

Other Translations:

Zhonggong asked about Goodness.

The Master said, “ ‘When in public, comport yourself as if you were receiving an important guest, and in your management of the common people, behave as if you were overseeing a great sacrifice.’ Do not impose upon others what you yourself do not desire. In this way, you will encounter no resentment in your public or private life.”

Zhonggong replied, “Although I am not quick to understand, I ask permission to devote myself to this teaching.”

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

Zhonggong asked about humaneness. The Master said, When you go out the door, behave as though you were going to meet an important guest. When you employ the common people, do so as though you were conducting an important sacrifice. What you do not want others to do to you, do not do to others. In the domain, let there be no grievances against you; in the family, let there be no grievances against you.

Zhonggong said, Lacking in cleverness though I am, I would like, if I may, to honor these words.

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