【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.