【原文】

顏淵問仁，子曰：〝克已複禮為仁。一日克已複禮，天下歸仁焉。為仁由已，而由人乎哉？〞顏淵曰：〝請問其目。〞子曰：〝非禮勿視，非禮勿聽，非禮勿言，非禮勿動。〞顏淵曰：〝回雖不敏，請事斯語矣。

【參考譯文】

顏淵詢問什麼是仁，孔子說：〝約束自己的言行合於禮就是仁。有朝一日能做到克已複禮，天下就歸依仁了，成‘仁’要靠自已，難道要靠別人嗎？〞

顏淵又問：〝請問具體的內容。〞孔子說：〝不合於禮的東西不看，不合於禮的話不聽，不合於禮的話不說，不合於禮的事不做。〞顏淵回答：〝我雖然遲鈍也要奉行您的教導。〞

【English Translation】

Yan Yuan asked what benevolence was. Confucius said: "To practise restraint in speech and behaviour in order to practise the rites. Once that is done, others will recognise one as a person of benevolence. This is something that depends on oneself.

Depending on others will not help. "

      Yan Yuan continued to ask: "How can one achieve this? "

Confucius said: "Do not look at anything that does not accord with the rites. Do not listen to anything that does not accord with the rites. Do not say anything that does not accord with the rites. Do not do anything that does not accord with the rites. "

        Yan Yuan Said: "Although I’m dull, I will do according to what you have said. "

【原文】

仲弓問仁，子曰：〝出門如見大賓，使民如承大祭。已所不欲，勿施於人。在邦無怨，在家無怨。〞仲弓曰：〝雍雖不敏，請事斯語矣。〞

【參考譯文】

仲弓詢問什麼是仁，孔子說：〝出仕於國家做事要像接待貴賓一樣嚴肅認真，役使老百姓如同當祭典一樣小心謹慎，凡自己不喜歡的就不要強加給別人。要做到在朝廷中沒有怨恨，在家庭裡也沒有怨恨。仲弓說：〝我雖然遲鈍，也要奉行您的教導。〞

【English Translation】

Zhong Gong asked about benevolence. Confucius answered saying: "When in public, act as if you are in audience with an honoured guest. In directing the masses, act as if you are conducting a great sacrificial ceremony. Never impose the things one does not like on others, or harbour bitterness in one’s heart at home and in court. "

        Zhong Gong said: "Although I’m dull, I must try to observe these things.

【原文】

司馬牛問仁，子曰：〝仁者，其言也訒。〞曰：〝其言也訒，斯謂之仁已乎？〞子曰：〝為之難，言之得無訒乎？〞

【參考譯文】

司馬牛詢問什麼是仁，孔子說：〝具備‘仁’的人說話很謹慎。〞

司馬牛說：〝說話謹慎就是做到了仁嗎？〞孔子說：〝懂得做起來不容易的道理，說話能不謹慎嗎？〞

【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.