13.6 子曰:“其身正,不令而行;其身不正,虽令不从。”

【译文】

孔子说:“他自身立得正,不下达命令事情也能实行;他自身不正,虽然下达命令,百姓也不会听从。”

【YZG解释】

孔子说:“上位者自身行得正,不用严厉的法令,社会风气也会端正;上位者自身行不正,即使有严厉的法令,百姓也不会服从。”


【English Translation】

Confucius said: “If the superior is upright in his own behavior, the social atmosphere will be upright even without strict laws. However, if the superior is not upright, even with strict laws, the civilians will not obey.”