3.23 子语鲁大师乐1，曰：“乐其可知也：始作，翕如也2；从之3，纯如也4，皦如也5，绎如也6，以成。”
【译文】
孔子把演奏音乐的过程告诉鲁国太师，说：“奏乐的过程是可以知道的：演奏开始，乐声热烈振奋，随着演奏的继续，乐声纯静和谐，清晰明亮，连绵悠长，乐曲就这样完成了。”
【YZG解释】
孔子把演奏音乐的过程告诉鲁国太师，说：“奏乐的过程是可以掌握的：演奏开始，乐声热烈振奋，随着演奏的展开，乐声纯静和谐，清晰明朗，相续不绝，乐曲就这样完成了。”
【English Translation】
Confucius told the master of the State of Lu in charge of music about the process of playing music: “The process of playing music is understandable: at the beginning of the performance, the music is impassioned and exciting, and while the performance unfolds, the music becomes pure and harmonious, clear and bright, and continuous until the music is completed.”