【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.