Tsze-chang then asked, "What are meant by the four bad things?"

子张曰：“何谓四恶？”

The Master said, "To put the people to death without having instructed them; this is called cruelty.

子曰：“不教而杀谓之虐；

To require from them, suddenly, the full tale of work, without having given them warning;

不戒视成谓之暴；

this is called oppression. To issue orders as if without urgency, at first,

慢令致期谓之贼；

and, when the time comes, to insist on them with severity; this is called injury. And, generally,

犹之与人也，

in the giving pay or rewards to men, to do it in a stingy way; this is called acting the part of a mere official."

出纳之吝谓之有司。”

The Master said, "Without recognizing the ordinances of Heaven, it is impossible to be a superior man.

孔子曰：“不知命，无以为君子也；

Without an acquaintance with the rules of Propriety, it is impossible for the character to be established.

不知礼，无以立也；

Without knowing the force of words, it is impossible to know men."

不知言，无以知人也。”