【原文】

司马牛问仁，子曰：〝仁者，其言也讱。〞曰：〝其言也讱，斯谓之仁已乎？〞子曰：〝为之难，言之得无讱乎？〞

【參考译文】

司马牛询问什么是仁，孔子说：〝具备‘仁’的人说话很谨慎。〞

司马牛说：〝说话谨慎就是做到了仁吗？〞孔子说：〝懂得做起来不容易的道理，说话能不谨慎吗？〞

【English Translation】

Sima Niu asked about benevolence. Confucius said: "A benevolent person is careful in speech. "

Sima Niu said: "So, is being careful in speech what benevolence is? "

Confucius said: "If one knows that this is not easy to accomplish, will that not make him more careful in speech? "

        Note: Sima Niu was known for being impetuous and flagrant in his speech. That was why Confucius stressed the taming of his tongue.