At fifteen, I had my mind bent on learning. At thirty, I stood firm. At forty, I had no doubt. At fifty, I knew the decrees of Heaven. At sixty, my ear was an obedient organ for the reception of truth. At seventy, I would follow what my heart desired, without transgressing what was right. 这个译文,在五十岁以前,都和原文一致。到了六十,译者把“耳顺”解释为“耳朵是接受真理的驯服工具”,这就不仅是翻译了原文的表层结构,而且是揭示了深层的内容。七十也是一样,“不逾矩”说成是“不超越正确的范围”,使人更容易理解。那么,五十以前,能不能也译出深层的内容呢?问题似乎不那么简单。因为“志于学”的深层内容要问“学什么”?如果要古为今用,那就只好结合个人的具体情况来谈了。
At fifteen, I was fond of learning. At thirty, I was established. At forty, I did not waver. At fifty, I knew my sacred mission (or the objective law). At sixty, I had a discerning ear. At seventy, I could do what I would without going beyond what is right.