The Analects of Confucius | 曾子曰：“慎终追远，民德归厚矣。”
曾子曰：“慎终追远，民德归厚矣。”
Shen Zi says, “Mourning duties should be given to those who have ceased to be and sacrifices should be offered to remote ancestors, according to rituals, so that honesty and simplicity can find their way into the folk customs.”
Appreciation& Critical Comments
a. It is commonly deemed sweet and commendable in human nature if one pays due respect to the deceased and due adoration to the remote forefathers.
b. It is not unusual that one is snobbish, consciously or unconsciously. There is an element of truth contained in the English saying, “Everyone opens the door to the rising sun; everyone shuts the door to the setting sun.”
c. So it is especially admirable if one still pays respect to the deceased and ancestors. In this case, simple and less sophisticated people are more likely to show the good side in human nature. And simple and less sophisticated people tend to be submissive and obedient.
非商业性援引，需注明出处来源于史话英语，史志康教授保留所有权利。