孔子论“言”

“言”有五种层次上的含义，与“行”相对有合不合，与“道”相应有知不知，与“诚”相偶有信不信，与“意”相对举有尽不尽，与“物”相表里有称不称。孔子就“言”的讨论，主要集中在前三个层次上。孔子讨论“言”时，都是对着特定的人或特定的事而发的。他分别针对子贡、宰予、子路等在言行或言知问题上的偏失，教导他们言行合一，言语谨慎。

The discussion of Confucius on Speech

＂Speech＂ has five levels~s meaning in the ancient Chinese thought. Corresponding with ＂Deed＂, it means one＇s speech match with his deed or not. Corresponding with ＂Taoism＂, it means one know Taoism or not. Corresponding with ＂Truth＂, it means one is honest or not. Corresponding with ＂Meaning＂, it means one expresses clearly or not. Corresponding with ＂Thing＂, it means word can sign thing or not. The discussion of Confucius on speech focuses on the first three level＇s meaning. When discussing ＂Speech＂, Confucius talked with the given person in the given time. In view of the special problem when Zigong, Zaiyu and Zilu spake, Confucius properly taught them to get over their shortcoming, make their speech match with their deed, and be careful in their speech.