Tien then said, "In this, the last month of spring, with the dress of the season all complete, along with five or six young men who have assumed the cap, and six or seven boys, I would wash in the I,
曰:“暮春者,春服既成,冠者五六人,童子六七人,浴乎沂,
enjoy the breeze among the rain altars, and return home singing." The Master heaved a sigh and said, "I give my approval to Tien."
风乎舞雩,咏而归。”夫子喟然叹曰:“吾与点也!”
The three others having gone out, Tsang Hsi remained behind, and said, "What do you think of the words of these three friends?"
三子者出,曾皙后。曾皙曰:“夫三子者之言何如?”
The Master replied, "They simply told each one his wishes."
子曰:“亦各言其志也已矣。”
Hsi pursued, "Master, why did you smile at Yu?" He was answered, "The management of a state demands the rules of propriety. His words were not humble; therefore I smiled at him."
曰:“夫子何哂由也?”曰:“为国以礼,其言不让,是故哂之。”
Hsi again said, "But was it not a state which Ch'iu proposed for himself?" The reply was, "Yes; did you ever see a territory of sixty or seventy li or one of fifty or sixty, which was not a state?"
“唯求则非邦也与?”“安见方六七十、如五六十而非邦也者?”
Once more, Hsi inquired, "And was it not a state which Ch'ih proposed for himself?" The Master again replied, "Yes; who but princes have to do with ancestral temples, and with audiences but the sovereign?
“唯赤则非邦也与?”“宗庙会同,非诸侯而何?
If Ch'ih were to be a small assistant in these services, who could be a great one?"
赤也为之小,孰能为之大?”