The Coffin and Ritual
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English translation
Original Chinese text
孟子自齐葬于鲁。反于齐,止于嬴。充虞请曰:「前日不知虞之不肖,使虞敦匠事;严,虞不敢请。今愿窃有请也:木若以美然。」
English translation
Mencius went from Qi to Lu for a burial. On returning to Qi, he stopped at Ying. Chong Yu asked, 'Earlier, not knowing that I was unworthy, you had me supervise the carpenters' work. Because the matter was urgent, I did not venture to ask. Now I wish to venture a question: the wood seems excessively fine.'
Original Chinese text
曰:「古者棺椁无度,中古棺七寸,椁称之,自天子达于庶人。非直为观美也,然后尽于人心。不得,不可以为悦;无财,不可以为悦。得之为有财。古之人皆用之,吾何为独不然?且比化者,无使土亲肤,于人心独无恔乎?吾闻之君子:不以天下俭其亲。」
English translation
Mencius said: “In ancient times, inner and outer coffins had no fixed dimensions. By middle antiquity, the inner coffin was seven inches thick and the outer coffin proportionate to it; this applied from the Son of Heaven down to commoners. This was not merely for outward display, but to fulfill the sentiments of the living. If ritual rules do not permit it, one cannot be at ease; if one lacks the means, one cannot be at ease either. But if it is permitted and one has the means, the ancients all did it—why should I alone not? And when the earth is kept from touching the dead person’s skin, would that not bring comfort to the family? I have heard that a noble person does not economize on their parents for the sake of the whole world.”