Tsze-lu asked about government, the Master said, "Go before the people with your example, and be laborious in their affairs."
子路问政,子曰:“先之,劳之。”
He requested further instruction, and was answered, "Be not weary in these things."
请益,曰:“无倦。”
Chung-kung, being chief minister to the head of the Chi family, asked about government,
仲弓为季氏宰,问政,
The Master said, "Employ first the services of your various officers, pardon small faults, and raise to office men of virtue and talents."
子曰:“先有司,赦小过,举贤才。”
Chung-kung said, "How shall I know the men of virtue and talent, so that I may raise them to office?"
曰:“焉知贤才而举之?”
"Raise to office those whom you know. As to those whom you do not know, will others neglect them?"
曰:“举尔所知。尔所不知,人其舍诸?”
Tsze-lu said, "The ruler of Wei has been waiting for you, in order with you to administer the government, what will you consider the first thing to be done?"
子路曰:“卫君待子而为政,子将奚先?”
The Master replied, "What is necessary is to rectify names." "So! indeed!" said Tsze-lu. "You are wide of the mark! Why must there be such rectification?"
子曰:“必也正名乎!”子路曰:“有是哉,子之迂也!奚其正?”
The Master said, "How uncultivated you are, Yu! A superior man, in regard to what he does not know, shows a cautious reserve.
子曰:“野哉由也!君子于其所不知,盖阙如也。