Rites of Mourning
Text
English translation
Original Chinese text
滕定公薨,世子谓然友曰:“昔者孟子尝与我言于宋,于心终不忘。今也不幸至于大故,吾欲使子问于孟子,然后行事。”
English translation
Duke Ding of Teng died, and the heir apparent said to Ran You, 'Formerly Mencius once spoke with me in Song, and in my heart I have never forgotten it. Now, unfortunately, this great bereavement has come. I want to send you to ask Mencius, and afterward carry out the matter.'
Original Chinese text
然友之邹问于孟子。
English translation
Ran You went to Zou and asked Mencius.
Original Chinese text
孟子曰:“不亦善乎!亲丧固所自尽也。曾子曰:‘生,事之以礼;死,葬之以礼,祭之以礼,可谓孝矣。’诸侯之礼,吾未之学也。虽然,吾尝闻之矣:三年之丧,斋疏之服,飦粥之食,自天子达于庶人,三代共之。”
English translation
Mencius said, “Is that not good? A parent’s death is precisely when one must fulfill one’s filial duty to the utmost. Zengzi said, ‘While one’s parents are alive, serve them according to ritual; after they die, bury and sacrifice to them according to ritual. This may be called filial piety.’ I have not studied the mourning rites of the feudal lords. Even so, I have heard that the three-year mourning required coarse hemp mourning dress and a diet of thick gruel, and was observed from the Son of Heaven down to commoners in all three dynasties.”
Original Chinese text
然友反命,定为三年之丧。父兄百官皆不欲也,故曰:“吾宗国鲁先君莫之行,吾先君亦莫之行也;至于子之身而反之,不可。且《志》曰:‘丧祭从先祖。’”曰:“吾有所受之也。”
English translation
Ran You reported back, and it was settled that there should be three years of mourning. The elders and the hundred officials were all unwilling, so they said, “None of the former rulers of our ancestral state Lu practiced it, and none of our former rulers practiced it either. Now when it comes to your person and you reverse it, this may not be done. Moreover, the Record says, ‘Mourning and sacrifice follow the former ancestors.’” He said, “I have a source from which I received it.”
Original Chinese text
谓然友曰:“吾他日未尝学问,好驰马试剑。今也父兄百官不我足也;恐其不能尽于大事。子为我问孟子。”
English translation
He said to Ran You, “In former days I never studied or sought learning; I was fond of galloping horses and testing swords. Now my elders and the hundred officials do not consider me sufficient; I fear that I cannot fully discharge the great matter. Please ask Mencius on my behalf.”
Original Chinese text
然友复之邹问孟子。
English translation
Ran You again went to Zou and asked Mencius.
Original Chinese text
孟子曰:“然,不可以他求者也。孔子曰:‘君薨,听于冢宰,飦粥,面深墨,即位而哭。百官有司,莫敢不哀,先之也。上有好者,下必有甚焉者矣。君子之德,风也;小人之德,草也。草上之风必偃。’是在世子。”
English translation
Mencius said, “Yes; this is not something one can seek from others. Confucius said, ‘When a ruler dies, the heir should follow the chief minister’s direction, eat thick gruel, let grief darken his face, then take his place and weep. None of the officials and functionaries dares remain unmoved, because the heir sets the example. When those above favor something, those below will carry it further. The exemplary person’s virtue is like the wind; the common people’s virtue is like grass. When wind passes over grass, the grass bends.’ It all depends on the heir apparent.”
Original Chinese text
然友反命。
English translation
Ran You returned and reported back.
Original Chinese text
世子曰:“然,是诚在我。”
English translation
The crown prince said, 'Yes, this truly lies with me.'
Original Chinese text
五月居庐,未有命戒。百官族人,可谓曰知。及至葬,四方来观之。颜色之戚,哭泣之哀,吊者大悦。
English translation
He lived in the mourning hut for five months without issuing special orders or prohibitions. The officials and members of the ruling clan approved of his conduct and called it wise. When the burial took place, people came from all quarters to watch. His grief-stricken face and sorrowful cries deeply moved those who came to pay their respects.