16.2 孔子曰：“天下有道，则礼乐征伐自天子出；天下无道，则礼乐征伐自诸侯出。自诸侯出，盖十世希不失矣1；自大夫出，五世希不失矣；陪臣执国命2，三世希不失矣。天下有道，则政不在大夫。天下有道，则庶人不议。”
【译文】
孔子说：“天下有道，那么制礼作乐及出兵征伐都决定于天子；天下无道，那么制礼作乐及出兵征伐都决定于诸侯。这些事决定于诸侯，大概传到十代就很少不丧失权位的；决定于大夫，传到五代就很少不丧失权位的；如果是家臣掌握国政，传到三代就很少不丧失权位的。天下有道，国政不会落在大夫手中。天下有道，普通百姓不会议论政事。”
【YZG解释】
孔子说：“天下有道，那么制礼作乐及出兵征伐的决定都出自天子；天下无道，那么制礼作乐及出兵征伐的决定则出自诸侯。如果出自诸侯，大概传到十代就很少有不丧失权位的；出自大夫，传到五代就很少有不丧失权位的；如果是家臣掌握国政，传到三代就很少有不丧失权位的。天下有道，国政不会落在大夫手中。天下有道，普通百姓不会对政事议论纷纷。”
【English Translation】
Confucius said: “When there is righteous Way in the world, the decisions on formulating the Rites and Music and on military expeditions all come from the emperor. When there is no righteous Way in the world, such decisions come from the feudal lords. If the decisions come from the feudal lords, seldom can their power be passed down for more than ten generations without being lost. If the decisions come from ministers, seldom can their power be passed down for more than five generations without being lost. If the State power is in the hands of a retainer, seldom can their power be passed down for more than three generations without being lost. When there is righteous Way in the world, State power will not fall into the hands of ministers. When there is righteous Way in the world, the civilians will not discuss political affairs widely.”