Confucian Analects · Analects 3.4
1. Lin Fang asked what was the first thing to be attended to in ceremonies. 2. The Master said, 'A great question indeed! 3. 'In festive ceremonies, it is better to be sparing than extravagant. In the ceremonies of mourning, it is better that there be deep sorrow than a minute attention to observances.'
Chinese · source text【第四章】【一節】林放問禮之本。【二節】子曰、大哉問。【三節】禮、與其奢也、寧儉、喪、與其易也、寧戚。
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Confucius · English translation by James Legge · bilingual transcription
James Legge, The Chinese Classics, Volume 1: Confucian Analects · Project Gutenberg #4094
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