11.16 子贡问:“师与商也孰贤?”子曰:“师也过,商也不及。”曰:“然则师愈与?”子曰:“过犹不及。”

【译文】

子贡问:“颛孙师和卜商哪一个更好些?” 孔子说:“颛孙师有些过度,卜商有些及不上。” 子贡说:“那么是颛孙师好一些吗?” 孔子说:“过度和及不上是一样的。”

【YZG解释】

子贡问:“颛孙师和卜商哪一个比较贤能?” 孔子说:“颛孙师有些过度,卜商有些不够。” 子贡说:“那么是颛孙师好一些吗?” 孔子说:“过度和不够其实是一样的。”


【English Translation】

Zi Gong asked Confucius: “Which of Zhuan Sun Shi and Bu Shang is more virtuous and talented?”

Confucius said: “Zhuan Sun Shi is a little excessive, while Bu Shang is a little insufficient.”

Zigong said: “So is Zhuan Sun Shi better?”

Confucius said: “Bing excessive and being insufficient are actually the same.”