论语 The Analects of Confucius
孟懿子问孝，子曰：“无违。”樊迟御，子告之曰：“孟孙问孝于我，我对曰无违。”樊迟曰：“何谓也。”子曰：“生，事之以礼；死，葬之以礼，祭之以礼。”
A noble of the Court in Confucius’ native State asked him what constituted the duty of a good son. Confucius answered, “ Do not fail in what is required of you.”
Afterwards, as a disciple was driving him in his carriage, Confucius told the disciple, saying, My Lord M ----asked me what constituted the duty of a good son, and I answered, ‘ Do not fail in what is required of you’”
“What did you mean by that?” asked the disciple.
“ I meant,” replied Confucius, “when his parents are living, a good son should do his duties to them according to the usage prescribed by propriety; when the are dead, he should bury them and honour their memory according to the rites prescribed by propriety.”
