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Lun Yu Introduction Table of content – The Analects of Confucius

The Master discusses with his disciples and unveil his preoccupations with society. Tr. Legge (en), Lau (en) and Couvreur (fr).

Lunyu XII. 18. (311)

The people are made thieves by the example of their rulers.
Chî K'ang, distressed about the number of thieves in the state, inquired of Confucius how to do away with them. Confucius said, "If you, sir, were not covetous, although you should reward them to do it, they would not steal."

Legge XII.18.

The prevalence of thieves was a source of trouble to Chi k'ang Tzu who asked the advice of Confucius. 'Confucius answered, 'If you yourself were not a man of desires,' no one would steal even if stealing carried a reward.'

Lau [12:18]

Ki K'ang tzeu était dans l'embarras à cause des voleurs ; il consulta Confucius. Le Maître lui répondit : « Seigneur, si vous n'étiez pas cupide, vous les récompenseriez qu'ils ne voleraient pas. »

Couvreur XII.17.

Lun Yu XII. 18. (311) IntroductionTable of content
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The Analects of Confucius – Lun Yu XII. 18. (311) – Chinese on/offFrançais/English
Alias the Lunyu, the Lun Yü, the Analects, les Entretiens du maître avec ses disciples.

The Book of Odes, The Analects, Great Learning, Doctrine of the Mean, Three-characters book, The Book of Changes, The Way and its Power, 300 Tang Poems, The Art of War, Thirty-Six Strategies
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