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He thought that everything in life ran more smoothly if people did.
他認為如果人們這樣做了什么事情就都好辦了。
Almost by itself, as it were, without the need to think too hard about it.
它簡直就是自動進行的，用不著許多思考。
Of course such behavior does not make people good, but it helps them stay good.
當然人們肯定不會因這些禮儀而變善良，但是人們比較容易保持良好。
For Confucius had a very good opinion of humanity.
因為孔子對人性有一種很好的看法。
He said that all people were born honest and good, and that, deep down, they remained so.
他說所有的人生來就善良、本分，其實在內心他們也全都是善良、本分的。
Anyone seeing a small child playing near the water's edge will worry lest it fall in, he said.
每一個人看見一個孩子在河邊戲耍都會感到害怕，怕這孩子掉進河里，他如是說。
Concern for our fellow human beings and sympathy for the misfortunes of others are inborn sentiments.
這種對旁人的關心，這種對旁人境遇不好的同情，所有這些都是我們與生俱有的情感。
All we need do is to make sure we do not lose them.
我們所要做的就是別失去他們。
And that, said Confucius, is why we have families.
在這方面，孔子說到這就是我們有家庭的原因。
Someone who is always good to his parents, who obeys them and cares for them – and this comes naturally to us – will treat others in the same way,
誰總是對他的父母好，聽父母的話并關心他們——這是我們與生俱有的——誰就會這樣對待他人，
and will obey the laws of the state in the same way that he obeys his father.
誰就也會遵守國家的法律，一如他習慣聽從他父親的話那樣。
