58,夫人必知礼然后恭敬

管子语录 汉英双解

【原文】夫人必知礼然后恭敬,恭敬然后尊让,尊让然后少长贵贱不相踰越,少长贵贱不相踰越,故乱不生而患不作,故曰礼不可不谨也。《五辅》

【汉解】人必知礼然后才能恭敬,恭敬然后才能尊让,尊让然后才能做到少长贵贱不相逾越,少长贵贱不相逾越,乱事就不会产生而祸患也不会发作了。因此说:“礼”是不可不重视的。

【英译】Once people are certain to know the meaning of propriety they will become respectful, and being respectful, they will be come deferential. Since they are deferential, the young and old, the honored and lowly do not encroach upon each other. Since the old and young, honored and lowly do not encroach on each other, disorders do not arise and calamities are not produced. Therefore it said:” Careful attention must be paid to propriety.”