子し曰いわく

expression

the Master said; Confucius said

A set phrase used at the beginning of chapters in the Analects of Confucius to introduce a saying of Confucius. In modern contexts, it may be used humorously or in literary references to the Analects.

• 子し曰いわく、「まなびてときにこれをならう、またよろこばしからずや」。

  The Master said, "Is it not pleasant to learn with a constant perseverance and application?"

• 論ろん語ごの各かく章しょうは「子し曰いわく」で始はじまることが多おおい。

  Many chapters in the Analects begin with "the Master said."