Home
logo
English German French
language
Confucius

Quote of Confucius: If names be not correct, language...


Biography - Confucius:

Confucius (Kong Qiu, courtesy name Zhongni), a Spring and Autumn period Chinese philosopher, is the paragon of sages whose teachings shaped Chinese civilization and the Sinosphere's cultural heritage.
Born: -551 - Died: -479
Period:
5th century BC
6th century BC
Place of birth: China
China

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 will 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.


Note 

Note



BOOK XII. 3.


Quote source: Analects



Translation

Translation

(German, French)



German
Wenn die Begriffe nicht richtig sind, so stimmen die Worte nicht; stimmen die Worte nicht, so kommen die Werke nicht zustande; kommen die Werke nicht zustande, so gedeiht Moral und Kunst nicht; gedeiht Moral und Kunst nicht, so treffen die Strafen nicht; treffen die Strafen nicht, so weiß das Volk nicht, wohin Hand und Fuß setzen.

French
Si les noms ne conviennent pas aux choses, il y a confusion dans le langage. S'il y a confusion dans le langage, les choses ne s'exécutent pas. Si les choses ne s'exécutent pas, les bienséances et l'harmonie sont négligées. Les bienséances et l'harmonie étant négligées, les supplices et les autres châtiments ne sont pas proportionnés aux fautes. Les supplices et les autres châtiments n'étant plus proportionnés aux fautes, le peuple ne sait plus où mettre la main ni le pied.




See also 

See also...






Quotes for: word


Quotes

Quotes for: word


Don't let words limit the possibilities of life.





The word flies and cannot be recalled.





One word and all is saved
One word and all is lost.






Words are but symbols for the relations of things to one another and to us; nowhere do they touch upon absolute truth.





Finding the right words at the right moment is action.





The language of friendship is not words but meanings.











Quotes for: Language


Quotes

Quotes for: Language


Philosophy is a battle against the bewitchment of our mind by means of our language.





The language of truth is simple.





Language is a source of misunderstanding.





Action is the language of the body and should harmonize with the spirit within.





Language is the house of the truth of Being.





Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see.











Quotes

Confucius also said...


Never impose on others what you would not choose for yourself.





Everything has beauty, but not everyone sees it.





To assail one's own wickedness and not assail that of others.





Faithfully admonish your friend, and skillfully lead him on. If you find him impracticable, stop.





The virtuous rest in virtue.





Demand much from yourself, little from others, and you will prevent discontent.












info   A quotation is a statement taken out of its context. Therefore, it is necessary to place any quotation within its author's work and its historical, geographical or philosophical context in order to fully understand its meaning. | The quotations stated on this site express their authors' opinion and do not reflect that of Buboquote.com


info   Image attribution:  title, author, license and source of the original file on Wikipedia. Modifications: changes have been made from the original file (cropping, resizing, renaming and color change).



logo

 Subscribe to the quote of the day email

Subscribe to the Quote of the Day to receive a quote every day in your inbox. It is spam-free and you can unsubscribe at any time. Subscribe to the quote of the day email