【原文】

孔子于乡党，恂恂如也，似不能言者。其在宗庙朝廷，便便言，唯谨尔。

【参考译文】

孔子在家乡很温和恭顺，好象是个不善言辞的人。他在宗庙里、朝堂上却很健谈，只是很谨慎。

【English Translation】

When Confucius was in his hometown, he was sincere, and behaved like he was not a good speaker but when he was at the ancestral temple or the court, he spoke brilliantly but cautiously.

【原文】

子曰：〝先进于礼乐，野人也；后进于礼乐，君子也。如用之，则吾从先进。〞

【参考译文】

孔子说：〝先学习礼和乐然后做官的，是没有世袭特权的一般读书人；先做官再学习礼和乐的，是有世袭特权的卿大夫子弟。如果要我选用人才我就选用前者。〞

【English Translation】

Confucius said: "Those who learned the rites and music before becoming an official, were from humble families. Those who learned the rites and music after they became officials are from noble families. If I were to choose talents, I would pick those who come form the former. "

【原文】

子曰：〝民可使由之，不可使知之。〞

【參考译文】

孔子说：〝对于老百姓，可以使他们照着规定的道路走，不必让他们知道那是为什么。〞

【English Translation】

Confucius said: "The people can be directed to live according to the regulations but they cannot be directed to understand the reasons behind the regulations. "