論 語 Lun Yu – Les Entretiens de Confucius

互鄉難與言、童子見、門人惑。子曰‘與其進也、不與其退也、唯何甚、人潔己以進、與其潔也、不保其往也’

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Il était difficile de convaincre les habitants du Village de Hou. Un jeune homme de ce pays se présenta pour suivre les leçons de Confucius. Les disciples en furent étonnés. Le Maître dit : « Lorsque quelqu'un vient à moi après s'être purifié, je l'approuve, sans pour autant me faire garant de son passé ni de tout ce qu'il fera par la suite. Pourquoi donc serais-je si sévère ? »

Couvreur VII.28.

The readiness of Confucius to meet approaches to him though made by the unlikely.
1. It was difficult to talk (profitably and reputably) with the people of Hû-hsiang, and a lad of that place having had an interview with the Master, the disciples doubted.
2. The Master said, "I admit people's approach to me without committing myself as to what they may do when they have retired. Why must one be so severe? If a man purify himself to wait upon me, I receive him so purified, without guaranteeing his past conduct."

Legge VII.28.

People of Hu Hsiang were difficult to talk -to. A boy was received and the disciples were perplexed. The Master said, 'Approval of his
coming does not mean approval of him when he is not here. Why should we be so exacting? When a man comes after having purified himself, we approve of his purification but we cannot vouch for his past.'

Lau [7:29]