Page 43 - EALC C306/505

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Stage 1: 必為者正名也 [之事 becomes 者]

Stage 2: 必者正名也 [“That which is necessary is rectifying terms”]

Stage 3: 必者也正名 [here, the 也 is added to set off the topic and
removed from the end because the sentence is no
longer equational: “As for that which is necessary,
rectify names!”]

Stage 4: 必也正名 [the 者 is unnecessary because 也 as topic marker
already marks 必 as standing for a nominal unit]

Although the latter of these two theories is more complex, this sort of sentence
transformation is so common in WYW that it appears more likely.

4.4 Pattern: kĕ bù X hu?
可不慎乎
“May one be not cautious?”

This is an example of a very common form of rhetorical question. Its thrust is, “One must
be X!”

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Written Exercises

1. 孔子生於魯

2. 孔子侍於季孫氏乎

3. 季孫氏假鳥於其宰

4. 魏文侯強於其臣

5. 孟子何以至於齊

6. 有人曰其君不正其臣不慎

7. 詩曰汝居曰遠吾思無已

8. 人有德則必近之人無德則必遠之