原文
阙党童子将命。或问之曰：“益者与？"子曰：“吾见其居于位也，见其与先生并行也，非求益者也，欲速成者也。”
译文
阙党有个童子奉命来传话。有人问孔子："这孩子是个求上进的人吗？"孔子说："我看他坐在大人的席位上，又看他与长辈并肩而行，可见他并不是真心求进步的人，不过是想要速成出头、急于让人认可罢了。"
ENGLISH
A youth from Que village came to deliver a message on behalf of his master. Someone asked Confucius, "Is this a boy who is eager to improve himself?" The Master said, "I have observed him sitting in the place reserved for adults, and I have seen him walking abreast of his elders. He is not one who seeks genuine improvement — he is merely one who craves quick recognition."
注释
①阙党：孔子在鲁国所居地名，又叫阙里。
②居于位．据《礼记．玉藻》：“童子无事则立王人之北南面。''可见居于位不合乎当时礼节。
③并行：据《礼记．曲礼》“五年以长，则后随之。"童子和先生并行，也不合礼。