原文
仲弓为季氏宰,问政。子曰:“先有司,赦小过,举贤才。”
曰:“焉知贤才而举之?”子曰:“举尔所知;尔所不知,人其舍诸?”
译文
Another disciple, who was in the service of a powerful noble in Confucius' native State, enquired how to conduct the government of the country. Confucius answered, "Leave the initiative in the details of government to the responsible heads of the departments. Overlook small short-comings; and advance men of ability and worth." "But," answered the disciple, "how am I to know who are men of ability and worth?" "Advance those," replied Confucius, "whom you already know: there is then no fear that those whom you do not know will be neglected."
评论
文中,“先有司,赦小过,举贤才”一句,“先有司”,辜鸿铭译为“leave the initiative in the details of government to the responsible heads of the departments”,“把政治上细节问题的决断权留给相应部门的负责人”,指具体问题让各职责部门负责;“赦小过”,译为“overlook small short-comings”,“原谅小的缺点”;“举贤才”,译为“advance men of ability and worth”,“提拔有能力与美德的人”。这一节讲的是统治者应当遵循的统治原则。