16.8 孔子曰：“君子有三畏：畏天命，畏大人1，畏圣人之言。小人不知天命而不畏也，狎大人2，侮圣人之言。”
【译文】
孔子说：“君子有三种敬畏：敬畏天命，敬畏高官大人，敬畏圣人的言语。小人不懂得天命因而不加敬畏，对高官大人态度轻慢，对圣人的言语多有轻侮。”
【YZG解释】
孔子说：“君子有三种敬畏：敬畏天所赋予的正理，敬畏有德有位之人，敬畏圣人的言语。小人不懂得天命因而不加敬畏，肆意妄为，对有德有位之人态度轻慢，妄加评论，对圣人的言语多有轻侮，妄自尊大，不知学习跟随。”
【English Translation】
Confucius said: “A noble person has three kinds of reverence: the reverence for the righteous principles bestowed by Heaven, reverence for those who are virtuous and hold positions, and reverence for the words of sages. While the mean person, not understanding the meaning of life and therefore lacking reverence, acts recklessly, shows disrespect towards those who are virtuous and hold positions and rashly comment on them, shows much contempt for the words of sages, and is arrogant without knowing learning and following.”