Sacrifice

Analects 20.1

Leave a Comment / Analects, Analects - Book Twenty

Original Text:

尧曰咨尔舜天之历数在尔躬允执其中四海困穷天禄永终舜亦以命禹

曰予小子履敢用玄牡敢昭告于皇皇后帝有罪不敢赦帝臣不蔽简在帝心朕躬有罪无以万方万方有罪罪在朕躬

周有大赉善人是富虽有周亲不如仁人百姓有过在予一人

谨权量审法度修废官四方之政行焉兴灭国继绝世举逸民天下之民归心焉

所重民食丧祭

宽则得众信则民任焉敏则有功公则说

Translation:

Correction: Line two fourth character should be a proper name Lu.

Other Translations:

Yao said, “Oh, you Shun! The orderly succession of Heaven now rests upon your shoulders. Hold faithfully to the mean. If those within the Four Seas should fall into hardship and poverty, Heaven’s emoluments will be cut off from you forever.”

Shun charged Yu with the same words.

[Tang] said, “I, your little child Lü, dare to offer up a black bull in sacrifice, and make so bold as to plainly declare to you, my Most August Sovereign Lord, that I do not dare to pardon those who have committed offenses. Your servant, Lord, conceals nothing; examine my actions with your mind, oh Lord. If I should personally commit an offense, let not the punishment be visited upon the inhabitants of the myriad regions; if the inhabitants of the myriad regions commit offenses, let the punishment be visited upon me personally.”

The Zhou were generously endowed, rich in excellent men.

[King Wu said,] “Though I may have many close kinsmen, it is better to employ Good men. If any of the Hundred Clans commit a transgression, let the punishment be visited upon me alone.”

He was scrupulous about weights and measures, carefully examined models and regulations, restored neglected official posts, and the administration of the four quarters was thereby carried out.

He restored destroyed states, re-established interrupted lines of succession, raised lost people back into prominence, and the hearts and minds of all the people in the world turned to him.

He gave weight to the people, food, mourning, and sacrifice.

Generous, he won over the masses. Trustworthy, the people put their faith in him. Diligent, he was successful. Just, [the people] were pleased.

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

Yao said, Ah, you, Shun—the destiny decreed by Heaven rests with you. Hold sincerely to the center. If those within the four seas suffer hardship and want, Heaven’s bounty will end forever.

And Shun voiced the same command [when he ceded the throne] to Yu.

[Tang] said, I, the little one, Lu, venture to sacrifice this black ox, I venture to report clearly to the most august Lord above. The guilty one I have not ventured to pardon, but I do nothing to hinder the Lord’s officials. May they be chosen in accordance with the Lord’s will. If there is blame on my part, let the ten thousand regions not suffer. If the ten thousand regions have any blame, let that blame rest on me.

Zhou has received great gifts; good persons are enriched. Although Zhou has kinsmen, they cannot equal persons of humaneness. If the people have any fault, may the blame be upon me alone.

Carefully adjust the weights and measures; clarify the laws and regulations; restore offices that have been discontinued—then the governing of the four directions will proceed. Reestablish states that have been wiped out; appoint heirs to successions that have come to an end; promote men who have gone into hiding—then the people of the empire will give their hearts to you. What is to be held in esteem: the people, food, mourning, and sacrifice.

Be tolerant, and you win over the multitude. Be trustworthy, and the people will trust you. Be diligent, and your work will go well. Be fair, and the people will rejoice.

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

Analects 19.1

Leave a Comment / Analects, Analects - Book Nineteen

Original Text:

子张曰士见危致命见得思义祭思敬丧思哀其可已矣

Translation:

Other Translations:

Zizhang said, “To submit to fate when confronted with danger, to think of rightness when presented with an opportunity for gain, to focus on respectfulness when offering sacrifices, and to concentrate upon your grief when in mourning—these are the qualities that make a scholar-official acceptable.”

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

Zizhang said, When a man of station spies danger, he is prepared to give his life. When he spies gain, he thinks of what is right. At a sacrifice, he thinks of respectfulness; at a funeral, he thinks of grief. If he does this much, he will get by.

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

Analects 15.9

Leave a Comment / Analects, Analects - Book Fifteen

Original Text:

子曰志士仁人无求生以害仁有杀身以成仁

Translation:

Other Translations:

The Master said, “No scholar-official of noble intention or Good person would ever pursue life at the expense of Goodness, and in fact some may be called upon to give up their lives in order to fulfill Goodness.”

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

The Master said, The man of high ideals, the humane person, never tries to go on living if it is harmful to humaneness. There are times when he sacrifices his life to preserve humaneness.

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

Analects 12.2

Leave a Comment / Analects, Analects - Book Twelve

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.

Analects 10.9

Leave a Comment / Analects, Analects - Book Ten

Original Text:

祭于公不宿肉祭肉不出三日出三日不食之矣

Translation:

Other Translations:

After assisting his Duke at a sacrifice, he would not keep the portion of the sacrificial meat bestowed upon him overnight. When sacrificing at home, he would not let the meat sit for more than three days. If it had sat for more than three days, he would not eat it.

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

When he had received sacrificial meat from the ruler, he did not keep it until the following day. When he had meat from a family sacrifice, he ate it before the third day. If three days had passed, he would not eat it.

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

Analects 8.4

Leave a Comment / Analects, Analects - Book Eight

Original Text:

曾子有疾孟敬子问之曾子言曰鸟之将死其鸣也哀人之将死其言也善君子所贵乎道者三动容貌斯远暴慢矣正颜色斯近信矣出辞气斯远鄙倍矣笾豆之事则有司存

Translation:

Other Translations:

Master Zeng was gravely ill, and Meng Jingzi came to inquire about his health.

Master Zeng said to him, “When a bird is about to die, its call is mournful and touching. When a person is about to die, his words should be heeded. There are three things that are important for a gentleman pursuing the Way: by altering his behavioral demeanor, he avoids violence and arrogance; by rectifying his countenance, he welcomes trustworthiness; and in his choice of words and tone of voice, he avoids vulgarity and impropriety. As for the details of handling sacrificial vessels, there are minor officials to deal with that.”

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

When Master Zeng was ill, Meng Jing Zi asked how he was.

Master Zeng spoke these words: When a bird is about to die, its cries are sad. When a man is about to die, his words are good. With regard to the Way, there are three things the gentleman prizes: in his actions and manner, that he be far from harshness or arrogance; in ordering his appearance, that he stick close to trustworthiness; in his utterances, that they be far from crude or unseemly. As for the sacrificial baskets and stands, there are experts to tend to such matters.

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

Analects 6.6

Leave a Comment / Analects, Analects - Book Six

Original Text:

子谓仲弓曰犁牛之子骍且角虽欲勿用山川其舍诸

Translation:

Other Translations:

With regard to Zhonggong, the Master said, “If the offspring of a plow-ox has a solid red coat and nicely-formed horns, even if people may think it unsuitable for sacrifice, would the spirits of the mountains and rivers reject it?”

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

The Master said of Zhonggong, The calf of an ordinary cow, if it is red in color and has proper horns, [is fit to be used as a sacrifice,] though people might hesitate to do so. Surely the gods of the mountains and rivers will not reject it.

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

Analects 3.17

Leave a Comment / Analects, Analects - Book Three

Original Text:

子贡欲去告朔之饩羊子曰赐也尔爱其羊我爱其礼

Translation:

Other Translations:

Zigong wanted to do away with the practice of sacrificing a lamb to announce the beginning of the month.

The Master said, “Zigong! You regret the loss of the lamb, whereas I regret the loss of the rite.”

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

Zigong wanted to do away with the sacrificial sheep at the first-of-the-month announcement to the ancestors. The Master said, Si (Zigong), you care about the sheep, I care about the ritual.

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

Analects 3.12

Leave a Comment / Analects, Analects - Book Three

Original Text:

祭如在祭神如神在子曰吾不与祭如不祭

Translation:

Other Translations:

“Sacrifice as if [they were] present” means that, when sacrificing to the spirits, you should comport yourself as if the spirits were present.

The Master said, “If I am not fully present at the sacrifice, it is as if I did not sacrifice at all.”

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

Sacrifice as if they were present means to sacrifice as if the gods were present. But the Master said, If I can’t take part in the sacrifices, it’s as though I haven’t sacrificed at all.

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

Analects 2.5

Leave a Comment / Analects, Analects - Book Two

Original Text:

孟懿子问孝子曰无违樊迟御子告之曰孟孙问孝于我我对曰无违樊迟曰何谓也子曰生事之以礼死葬之以礼祭之以礼

Translation:

Other Translations:

Meng Yizi asked about filial piety. The Master replied, “Do not disobey.”

Later, Fan Chi was driving the Master’s chariot. The Master said to him, “Just now Meng Yizi asked me about filial piety, and I answered, ‘Do not disobey.'”

Fan Chi said, “What did you mean by that?”

The Master replied, “When your parents are alive, serve them in accordance with the rites; when they pass away, bury them in accordance with the rites and sacrifice to them in accordance with the rites.”

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

Meng Yi Zi asked about filial devotion. The Master replied, Never break the rules.

When Fan Chi was driving the carriage, the Master reported this to him, saying, Meng Sun (Meng Yi Zi) asked me about filial devotion. I told him, Never break the rules.

Fan Chi said, What did you mean by that?

The Master said, While they are alive, serve them according to ritual. When they die, bury them according to ritual, and sacrifice to them in accord with ritual.

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