【原文】

孔子於鄉黨，恂恂如也，似不能言者。其在宗廟朝廷，便便言，唯謹爾。

【參考譯文】

孔子在家鄉很溫和恭順，好象是個不善言辭的人。他在宗廟裡、朝堂上卻很健談，只是很謹慎。

【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：〝先進于禮樂，野人也；後進于禮樂，君子也。如用之，則吾從先進。〞

【參考譯文】

孔子說：〝先學習禮和樂然後做官的，是沒有世襲特權的一般讀書人；先做官再學習禮和樂的，是有世襲特權的卿大夫子弟。如果要我選用人才我就選用前者。〞

【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。〞

【參考譯文】

孔子說：〝對於老百姓，可以使他們照著規定的道路走，不必讓他們知道那是為什麼。〞

【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. "