工欲善其事必先利其器

子贡问为仁，子曰：“工欲善其事，必先利其器。居是邦也，事其大夫之贤者，友其士之仁者。”

子贡问怎样培养仁德，孔子说：“工匠要想做好工，必须先把器具打磨锋利。住在这个国家，就要侍奉大夫中的贤人，结交士中的仁人。”

JamesLegge:

Tuze-Kungasked about the practice of virtue. The Master said: “ The mechanic, who wishes to do his work well, mustfirst sharpen his tools. When you are living in any state, take service withthe most worthy among its great officers, and make friends of the most virtuousamong its scholars.”

辜鸿铭：

Adisciple of Confusion enquired how to live a moral life.  Confucius answered, “ A workman who wants toperfect his work first sharpens his tools. When you are living in a country,you should serve those nobles and ministers in that country  who are men of moral worth, and you shouldcultivate the  friendship of thegentlemen of that country who are men of moral worth.”