Hsien Wan / 14
子问公叔文子于公明贾曰，信乎，夫子不言，不笑，不取乎。公明贾对曰，以吿者过也。夫子时然后言，人不厌其言，乐然后笑，人不厌其笑，义然后取，人不厌其取。子曰，其然，岂其然乎。
Modern Chinese Guide
孔子向公明贾问到公叔文子，说：是真的吗？他老先生不说话、不笑、不取财物吗？公明贾回答说：这是告诉您的人说得过分了。他老先生到该说话时才说，所以别人不厌恶他说话；到该高兴时才笑，所以别人不厌恶他笑；到合乎道义时才取，所以别人不厌恶他取。孔子说：是这样吗？难道真是这样吗？
James Legge Translation
1. The Master asked Kung-ming Chia about Kung-shu Wan, saying, "Is it true that your master speaks not, laughs not, and takes not?" 2. Kung-ming Chia replied, "This has arisen from the reporters going beyond the truth.—My master speaks when it is the time to speak, and so men do not get tired of his speaking. He laughs when there is occasion to be joyful, and so men do not get tired of his laughing. He takes when it is consistent with righteousness to do so, and so men do not get tired of his taking." The Master said, "So! But is it so with him?"
Notes and themes
- 底本：Wikisource 整理的 James Legge《The Chinese Classics》公版中英文本。
- 中文由繁体转为简体，后续白话解释需逐章审校。
- 白话参考底本：《白话论语读本》，张兆瑢、沈元起编译，上海广益书局1948 年新三版。
Ask Confucius: controlled AI entry
This release starts with a static safety prompt: AI answers must separate source text, explanation, and modern reflection, with links back to passage pages. Before a model API is connected, rate limits, Origin allowlists, and RAG sources must be ready.