3.7 子曰:“君子无所争。必也射乎1!揖让而升2,下而饮。其争也君子。”

【译文】

孔子说:“君子没有什么可争的事。如果有争则一定是在射礼上吧!但他们首先相互行礼,然后登堂进行比赛,赛毕则下堂共同饮酒。这样的争才是君子之争。”

【YZG解释】

孔子说:“君子没有什么可争的事。如果有争则一定是在射箭比赛上吧!但他们首先对立行礼,表示礼让,然后登堂开始比赛。赛毕则下堂对饮一杯酒。这样,即使在争也保持君子风范。”


【English Translation】

Confucius said: “A noble person has nothing to compete for.  If there is competition, it must happen in an archery match.  However, they would give a salute to each other to show their respect, and then enter the hall to begin the match.  When it is finished, they come down and drink a glass of liquor together.  In this way, they maintain the demeanor of a noble person even in the competition.”

注释

  1. 射:指射礼,有大射、乡射等名目。统治阶层通过射箭比赛选士或会民,其过程有固定的仪式程序。

  2. 揖让:宾主相见的礼节。升:指登堂。射礼在堂上进行。