非fēi 其qí 鬼guǐ 而ér 祭jì 之zhī ，谄chăn 也yě ；见jiàn 义yì 不bù 为wéi ，无wú 勇yǒng 也yě 。
Worshiping other people’s ancestors is flattery; observing injustice without taking action is cowardice.
丘qiū 老lăo 师shī 说shuō ：It is your duty to pray to your own ancestor but doing other people’s duty is just flattery. When justice is needed it is time for you to take action. Confucius is trying say there is a time when it is right to get involved in other people’s affairs and there is a time when it is right not to take up other people’s duty.
Tags: Confucius