Some one addressed Confucius, saying, "Sir, why are you not engaged in the government?"
或谓孔子曰:“子奚不为政?”
The Master said, "What does the Shu-ching say of filial piety?
子曰:“《书》云:
'You are final, you discharge your brotherly duties. These qualities are displayed in government.'
‘孝乎惟孝,友于兄弟,施于有政。’
This then also constitutes the exercise of government. Why must there be THAT-making one be in the government?"
是亦为政,奚其为为政?”
The Master said, "I do not know how a man without truthfulness is to get on.
子曰:“人而无信,不知其可也。
How can a large carriage be made to go without the crossbar for yoking the oxen to, or a small carriage without the arrangement for yoking the horses?"
大车无輗,小车无軏,其何以行之哉?”
Tsze-chang asked whether the affairs of ten ages after could be known.
子张问:“十世可知也?”
Confucius said, "The Yin dynasty followed the regulations of the Hsia: wherein it took from or added to them may be known.
子曰:“殷因于夏礼,所损益,可知也;
The Chau dynasty has followed the regulations of Yin: wherein it took from or added to them may be known.
周因于殷礼,所损益,可知也。
Some other may follow the Chau, but though it should be at the distance of a hundred ages, its affairs may be known."
其或继周者,虽百世,可知也。”
The Master said, "For a man to sacrifice to a spirit which does not belong to him is flattery.
子曰:“非其鬼而祭之,谄也;
"To see what is right and not to do it is want of courage."
见义不为,无勇也。”