"If names be not correct, language is not in accordance with the truth of things;
“名不正,则言不顺;
If language be not in accordance with the truth of things, affairs cannot be carried on to success;
言不顺,则事不成;
When affairs cannot be carried on to success, proprieties and music do not flourish;
事不成,则礼乐不兴;
When proprieties and music do not flourish, punishments will not be properly awarded;
礼乐不兴,则刑罚不中;
When punishments are not properly awarded, the people do not know how to move hand or foot.
刑罚不中,则民无所错手足。
Therefore a superior man considers it necessary that the names he uses may be spoken appropriately, and also that what he speaks may be carried out appropriately.
故君子名之必可言也,言之必可行也。
What the superior man requires is just that in his words there may be nothing incorrect."
君子于其言,无所苟而已矣。”
Fan Ch'ih requested to be taught husbandry, the Master said, "I am not so good for that as an old husbandman."
樊迟请学稼,子曰:“吾不如老农。”
He requested also to be taught gardening, and was answered, "I am not so good for that as an old gardener."
请学为圃,曰:“吾不如老圃。”
Fan Ch'ih having gone out, the Master said, "A small man, indeed, is Fan Hsu! If a superior man love propriety, the people will not dare not to be reverent;
樊迟出,子曰:“小人哉樊须也!上好礼,则民莫敢不敬;
If he love righteousness, the people will not dare not to submit to his example;
上好义,则民莫敢不服;
If he love good faith, the people will not dare not to be sincere.
上好信,则民莫敢不用情。