论语古文今英译

诵诗三百

（子路篇13.05）

子曰：“诵诗三百，授之以政，不达；使于四方，不能专对。虽多，亦奚以为？”

【译文】

    孔子说：“把《诗》三百篇背得很熟，让他处理政务，却不会办事；让他当外交使节，不能独立地办交涉；背得很多，又有什么用呢？”

【英译】

    The Master said, "Though a man may be able to recite the three hundred odes, yet if, when intrusted with a governmental charge, he knows not how to act, or if, when sent to any quarter on a mission, he cannot give his replies unassisted, notwithstanding the extent of his learning, of what practical use is it?"

（江湖侠客吴仲湛 编辑）