kèjǐ-fùlǐ 克己复礼
Restrain Yourself and Follow Social Norms
克制自己的言行以符合礼的要求。出自《论语》,是孔子提出的实现仁德的基本方法。孔子认为,仁德的养成应以礼为标准。个人的言行应受到外在的礼的规范,但更重要的是通过约束自身的私欲,使自己的所见、所闻、言语、行为都符合礼的要求。能够做到“克己复礼”,就达成了仁德。
Restrain your words and deeds to comply with social norms. This term comes from The Analects. It is the fundamental method Confucius recommended for achieving benevolence. According to Confucius, social norms should be the standard for cultivating benevolence. Externally, your words and deeds should be subject to social norms, but more importantly, you should restrain your own selfish desires in order to see, listen, speak, and act within such norms. Once you can “restrain yourself and practice propriety,” you will have achieved benevolence.
引例 Citation:
◎颜渊问仁。子曰:“克己复礼为仁。一日克己复礼,天下归仁焉。为仁由己,而由人乎哉?”(《论语·颜渊》)
(颜渊请教何谓仁。孔子说:“克制自己的言行以符合礼的要求就是仁。一旦能够克制自己的言行以符合礼的要求,天下都称许你的仁德。践行仁德依赖于自己,还要依赖别人吗?”)
Yan Yuan asked about benevolence. Confucius said, “To restrain yourself and practice propriety is benevolence. Once you can restrain yourself and practice propriety, everyone else will praise you for your benevolence. You must practice benevolence yourself; how can others practice it for you?” (The Analects)