儒家: 《論語》 (公元前480年 – 公元前350年)
“The Analects of Confucius“ (480-350 BC) English translations by James Legge, or Leonard A. Lyall.
《論語》《子路》13.3 :
子路曰：「衛君待子而為政，子將奚先？」子曰：「必也正名乎！」子路曰：「有是哉，子之迂也！奚其正？」子曰：「野哉由也！君子於其所不知，蓋闕如也。名不正，則言不順；言不順，則事不成；事不成，則禮樂不興；禮樂不興，則刑罰不中；刑罰不中，則民無所措手足。故君子名之必可言也，言之必可行也。君子於其言，無所苟而已矣。」
Zi Lu said, “The ruler of Wei has been waiting for you, in order with you to administer the government. What will you consider the first thing to be done?” The Master replied, “What is necessary is to rectify names.” “So! indeed!” said Zi Lu. “You are wide of the mark! Why must there be such rectification?” The Master said, “How uncultivated you are, You! A superior man, in regard to what he does not know, shows a cautious reserve. If names be not correct, language is not in accordance with the truth of things. If language be not in accordance with the truth of things, affairs cannot be carried on to success. When affairs cannot be carried on to success, proprieties and music will not flourish. When proprieties and music do not flourish, punishments will not be properly awarded. When punishments are not properly awarded, the people do not know how to move hand or foot. Therefore a superior man considers it necessary that the names he uses may be spoken appropriately, and also that what he speaks may be carried out appropriately. What the superior man requires is just that in his words there may be nothing incorrect.”
【Alternative translation】Tzu-lu said, “The lord of Wei waits for you, Sir, to govern. How shall ye begin?” “Surely,” said the Master, “by putting names right.” “Indeed,” said Tzu-lu, “that is far-fetched, Sir. Why put them right?” “What a savage Yu is!” said the Master. “A gentleman is tongue-tied when he does not understand. If names are not right, words do not fit. If words do not fit, affairs go wrong. If affairs go wrong, neither courtesy nor music thrive. If courtesy and music do not thrive, law and justice fail. And if law and justice fail them, the people can move neither hand nor foot. So a gentleman must be ready to put names into speech and words into deed. A gentleman is nowise careless of his words.”
【現代漢語翻譯】子路說：「如果衛國的君主等待您去執政，您首先要做的是什麽？」孔子說：「一定是正其名分呀！」子路說：「是這樣的嗎？你太迂腐了，正其名分有什麽用？」孔子說：「仲由, 你太粗野了！君子對於不懂的事情，一般都採取保留意見。名分不正當，說話就不合理；說話不合理，事情就辦不成。事情辦不成，法律就不能深入人心；法律不能深入人心，刑罰就不會公正；刑罰不公正，則百姓手足無措，不知如何是好。所以領導做事必須說得通、說話必須行得通。領導說話，絕不隨便、馬虎。」
【试译】子路说：“卫国的君王等着先生去管理政务，先生打算先干什么？” 孔子说：“必须先正名！” 子路说：“有这样做的吗？先生绕弯了吧！怎么正啊？” 孔子说：“冒失啊，仲由！君子对自己不明白的，会暂且放到一边，不下断语。名分不正，言辞就不顺；言辞不顺，事情就办不成；事情办不成，礼乐就不兴盛；礼乐不兴盛，刑罚就不会恰当；刑罚不恰当，百姓就手足无措不知该怎么办。所以君子给各类政务政要政职定名一定要准，政名说出来，一定要可行。君子对于自己说的话，不会随随便便的。”
【原文節選】子曰：「名不正，则言不顺；言不顺，则事不成；事不成，则礼乐不兴；礼乐不兴，则刑罚不中；刑罚不中，则民无所措手足。」
【白话解】孔子说：「名份不正当，就无法说得顺理（理不直则气不壮）；说话不能顺理（顺口），做起来就不容易成功；做不成事，礼乐的教化就不能兴盛；礼乐的教化不兴，单用刑罚，法律刑罚也不能用得恰当；法律刑罚用得不恰当，人民就会手足无措，不知如何是好了。」