Learning the Importance of the Book of Songs and Propriety in a Courtyard
文、攝影 / 歐修梅
故事出處：《論語．季氏》
The story comes from “Ji Shi” of the Analects of Confucius
陳亢問於伯魚曰：「子亦有異聞乎？」
對曰：「未也。嘗獨立，鯉趨而過庭。曰：『學《詩》乎？』對曰：『未也。』『不學《詩》，無以言。』鯉退而學詩。
他日又獨立，鯉趨而過庭。曰：『學禮乎？』對曰：『未也。』『不學禮，無以立。』鯉退而學禮。聞斯二者。」
陳亢退而喜曰：「問一得三，聞《詩》 ，聞禮，又聞君子之遠其子也。」
Chen Kang inquired of Boyu, “Do you possess any special knowledge?”
Boyu responded, “No. I recall once when my father was standing alone and I passed through the courtyard. He asked, ‘Have you studied the Book of Songs?’ I replied, ‘No.’ He said, ‘Without studying the Book of Songs, one cannot speak with decorum.’ Thus, I withdrew to study the Book of Songs.
On another day, my father was standing alone again, and I passed by the courtyard. He asked, ‘Have you studied propriety?’ I answered, ‘No.’ He said, ‘Without studying propriety, one cannot conduct oneself properly in society.’ So, I withdrew to study propriety. These are the two teachings I received.”
Chen Kang, upon hearing this, was delighted and remarked, “By posing a single query, I have gained three lessons: the significance of the Book of Songs, the importance of propriety, and the fact that a true gentleman refrains from demonstrating favor towards his own offspring.”
孔子的兒子名鯉，字伯魚。孔子的學生陳亢有一天問伯魚：「你有聽到老師（孔子）說過什麼特別的教誨嗎？」
Confucius’ son was named Li with a courtesy name of Boyu. One day, Confucius’ disciple Chen Kang asked Boyu, “Have you heard any special teachings from your master (Confucius)?”
伯魚回答說：「沒有。我只記得有一次，父親（孔子）獨自站著堂上，我經過中庭時，父親問我：『你學過《詩經》嗎？』我回答：『還沒學。』父親就說：『不學《詩經》，你就不會知道如何得體地說話。』所以我就好好去學了《詩經》。
Boyu replied, “No. I only remember that once my father (Confucius) was standing in in the hall alone. As I walked by the courtyard, my father asked, ‘Have you studied the Book of Songs?’ I replied, ‘I haven’t.’ My father said, ‘If you don’t study the Book of Songs, you won’t know how to speak properly.’ So I studied the Book of Songs thoroughly.
後來，又有一次，父親也是獨自站著堂上，當我經過中庭時，父親問我：『你學過禮嗎？』我回答：『還沒學。』父親說：『不學禮，你就不懂得如何立身、適當地行為處世。』所以我就去學了禮。這就是我私下聽到的兩次教誨。」
Later, one day, my father was standing in the hall alone again. When I passed by the courtyard, my father asked, ‘Have you studied propriety?’ I replied, ‘I haven’t.’ My father said, ‘If you don’t study propriety, you won’t know how to interact with others properly in this world.’ So I studied propriety. Those are the two teachings I received privately.”
陳亢聽後很高興，說：「我這次問了一個問題，卻得到了三個收穫：其一是知道了《詩經》的重要性，其二是知道了禮的價值，其三便是知道君子對自己的孩子並沒有私下的厚待。」
Chen Kang was pleased upon hearing the reply and said, “By asking one question, I have gained three insights. First, I have come to understand the significance of the Book of Songs. Second, I have learned about the value of propriety. Third, I have realized that a gentleman does not show favoritism to his own children in private.”
此畫正是描繪孔子教兒子孔鯉學《詩》、禮的場景，孔子立於屋簷下的臺階之上，孔鯉則站在臺階下方處，即使親如父子，二人也是以禮相待。
This painting depicts Confucius asking his son Kong Li to study the Book of Songs and propriety. Confucius is shown standing on a step beneath the roof, with Kong Li on a lower step. Even though they are father and son, they treated each other with mutual respect.
