English Original
Zengzi's wife was going to the market. Her little son insisted on going with her, crying and making a scene. "Stay at home," she told him. "When I return, I will slaughter a pig for you."
Upon her return, Zengzi prepared to slaughter the pig. His wife stopped him, saying, "I was only joking."
"A child should not be joked with in that manner!" Zengzi replied. "A child lacks knowledge and cannot judge independently. He learns from his parents and listens to their words. To lie to him is to teach him to lie to others. If a mother deceives her son, he will lose trust in her. How can she then educate him?"
With that, Zengzi proceeded to slaughter the pig and prepared a fine meal for their son.
中文翻译
曾子的妻子要去集市。她的小儿子坚持要跟着去，哭闹不休。"待在家里，"她对儿子说。"等我回来，就给你杀猪吃。"
妻子回来后，曾子准备去杀猪。他的妻子拦住他说："我只是开玩笑罢了。"
"小孩子是不能这样开玩笑的！"曾子回答道。"小孩子心智未开，不能独立判断。他向父母学习，听从父母的话。欺骗他，就是在教他欺骗别人。如果母亲欺骗儿子，儿子就不会再信任她。那她还怎么教育他呢？"
于是，曾子便去杀了猪，为儿子准备了一顿美餐。