论语古文今英译

必也正名乎

（子路篇13.03）

    子路曰：“卫君待子为政，子将奚先？”子曰：“必也正名乎！”子路曰：“有是哉，子之迂也！奚其正？”子曰：“野哉，由也！君子于其所不知，盖阙如也。名不正则言不顺，言不顺则事不成，事不成则礼乐不兴，礼乐不兴则刑罚不中，刑罚不中，则民无所措手足。故君子名之必可言也，言之必可行也。君子于其言，无所苟而已矣。”

【译文】

    子路（对孔子）说：“卫国国君要您去治理国家，您打算先从哪些事情做起呢？”孔子说：“首先必须正名分。”子路说：“有这样做的吗？您想得太不合时宜了。这名怎么正呢？”孔子说：“仲由，真粗野啊。君子对于他所不知道的事情，总是采取存疑的态度。名分不正，说起话来就不顺当合理，说话不顺当合理，事情就办不成。事情办不成，礼乐也就不能兴盛。礼乐不能兴盛，刑罚的执行就不会得当。刑罚不得当，百姓就不知怎么办好。所以，君子一定要定下一个名分，必须能够说得明白，说出来一定能够行得通。君子对于自己的言行，是从不马马虎虎对待的。”

【英译】

    Tsze-lu said, "The ruler of Wei has been waiting for you, in order with you to administer the government. What will you consider the first thing to be done?"The Master replied, "What is necessary is to rectify names." "So! indeed!" said Tsze-lu. "You are wide of the mark! Why must there be such rectification?"The Master said, "How uncultivated you are, Yu! A superior man, in regard to what he does not know, shows a cautious reserve." If names be not correct, language is not in accordance with the truth of things. If language be not in accordance with the truth of things, affairs cannot be carried on to success." When affairs cannot be carried on to success, proprieties and music do not flourish. When proprieties and music do not flourish, punishments will not be properly awarded. When punishments are not properly awarded, the people do not know how to move hand or foot." Therefore a superior man considers it necessary that the names he uses may be spoken appropriately, and also that what he speaks may be carried out appropriately. What the superior man requires is just that in his words there may be nothing incorrect."