Xian Jin (Book 11: The Former Worthies)

Confucius said, “Those who first learn ritual and music and then become officials are the rustic and simple. Those who first become officials and then learn ritual and music are the gentleman. If I were to employ anyone, I would favor those who first learn ritual and music.”

Confucius said, “Those who followed me in the hardships at Chen and Cai are no longer at my side.” Those who excelled in virtuous conduct: Yan Yuan, Min Ziqian, Ran Boniu, and Zhonggong. Those who excelled in eloquence: Zai Wo and Zigong. Those who excelled in governance: Ran You and Ji Lu. Those who excelled in cultural learning: Ziyou and Zixia.

Confucius said, “Yan Hui! He is not one who helps me. In everything I say, he finds no dissatisfaction.”

Confucius said, “Min Ziqian is truly filial! People have no differing opinions about the words his parents and brothers speak of him.”

Nan Rong repeatedly recited the verses of the “White Scepter,” so Confucius married his elder brother’s daughter to him.

Ji Kangzi asked, “Which of your disciples is fondest of learning?” Confucius replied, “There was one named Yan Hui who was fondest of learning. Unfortunately, his life was short and he died. Now there is no one as fond of learning as he.”

When Yan Yuan died, Yan Lu requested that Confucius sell his carriage to provide an outer coffin for Yan Yuan. Confucius said, “Whether talented or not, each speaks of his own son. When my son Kong Li died, he had only an inner coffin and no outer coffin. I cannot sell my carriage and walk to provide an outer coffin for him, for having ranked among the grand officers, I am not permitted to walk.”

When Yan Yuan died, Confucius said, “Alas! Heaven is destroying me! Heaven is destroying me!”

When Yan Yuan died, Confucius wept with great grief. Those who followed him said, “Master, your grief is excessive!” Confucius said, “Is it excessive? If I do not grieve deeply for this man, for whom should I grieve?”

When Yan Yuan died, the disciples wished to give him a lavish burial. Confucius said, “It cannot be done.” Yet the disciples still gave him a lavish burial. Confucius said, “Yan Hui, you regarded me as your father, but I could not treat you as my son. This is not my fault; it was done by these disciples.”

Ji Lu asked how to serve ghosts and spirits. Confucius said, “If you cannot yet serve the living, how can you serve ghosts and spirits?” Ji Lu added, “May I presume to ask about death?” Confucius said, “If you do not yet understand life, how can you understand death?”

Min Ziqian stood beside Confucius, looking respectful and upright; Zilu looked bold and fierce; Ran You and Zigong looked mild and cheerful. Confucius was pleased. He said, “A man like Zhong You will likely die an unnatural death.”

The state of Lu was planning to rebuild the Long Treasury. Min Ziqian said, “Why not keep the old structure? Why must it be rebuilt?” Confucius said, “This man either does not speak, but when he speaks, he hits the mark.”

Confucius said, “Zhong You plays the zither—why does he do so at my door?” The disciples therefore ceased to respect Zilu. Confucius said, “Zhong You has ascended the hall, but has not yet entered the inner chamber!”

Zigong asked, “Who is more worthy, Zhuansun Shi or Bu Shang?” Confucius said, “Zhuansun Shi goes too far; Bu Shang falls short.” Zigong said, “Then is Zhuansun Shi superior?” Confucius said, “Going too far is as bad as falling short.”

The Ji family was wealthier than the Duke of Zhou, and Ran Qiu still collected taxes for them, increasing their wealth. Confucius said, “Ran Qiu is no longer my disciple. You young men may beat the drum and denounce him!”

Gao Chai was dull; Zeng Shen was slow; Zhuansun Shi was extreme; Zhong You was rash.

Confucius said, “Yan Hui was nearly there! Yet he was often utterly destitute. Duanmu Ci did not accept his lot but engaged in trade, and his guesses at market trends often hit the mark.”

Zizhang asked about the good person. Confucius said, “One who does not tread in the footsteps of others, yet cannot enter the inner chamber of the sage.”

Confucius said, “If a person’s words are sincere, I approve them. But must I then distinguish whether he is a true gentleman or merely one who puts on a solemn appearance?”

Zilu asked, “Should one act upon hearing something?” Confucius said, “With your father and elder brother alive, how can you act upon hearing something?” Ran You asked, “Should one act upon hearing something?” Confucius said, “Act upon hearing something!” Gongxi Hua said, “Zhong You asked, ‘Should one act upon hearing something?’ and you said, ‘With your father and elder brother alive.’ Ran Qiu asked, ‘Should one act upon hearing something?’ and you said, ‘Act upon hearing something!’ I am confused—may I presume to ask?” Confucius said, “Ran Qiu is timid and holds back, so I encourage him; Zhong You is bold and competitive, so I restrain him.”

When Confucius was trapped in Kuang, Yan Yuan arrived last. Confucius said, “I thought you had died!” Yan Yuan said, “While you are alive, how would I dare to die?”

Ji Ziran asked, “Can Zhong You and Ran Qiu be considered great ministers?” Confucius said, “I thought you were going to ask about someone else—turns out it is about Zhong You and Ran Qiu. A great minister serves his ruler with the Way, and if he cannot, he resigns. Now Zhong You and Ran Qiu can only be considered ordinary ministers with talents.” Ji Ziran said, “Then will they follow the Ji family?” Confucius said, “In matters of killing a father or killing a ruler, they would not follow.”

Zilu sent Zigao to be steward of Fei. Confucius said, “This is harming that young man!” Zilu said, “There are common people and altars of grain and soil there—why must one read books to be considered learned?” Confucius said, “This is why I detest glib-tongued people.”

Zilu, Zeng Xi, Ran You, and Gongxi Hua were sitting with Confucius. Confucius said, “I am a little older than you—do not hesitate to speak because of me. You often say, ‘No one knows me!’ If someone were to know you, what would you do?” Zilu answered without hesitation: “A state of a thousand chariots, hemmed in by great powers, with external military threats and internal famine—let me govern it. In three years, I could make the people courageous and know what is right.” Confucius smiled slightly. “Ran Qiu, what about you?” Ran Qiu replied: “A territory of sixty or seventy li square, or fifty or sixty li square—let me govern it. In three years, I could make the people prosperous. As for ritual and music, I would await a gentleman.” “Gongxi Chi, what about you?” Gongxi Chi replied: “I dare not say I can do it, but I would like to learn. In matters of ancestral temple ceremonies or alliances of the feudal lords, wearing the robe and cap, I would wish to serve as a minor assistant.” “Zeng Xi, what about you?” Zeng Xi’s zither playing gradually subsided; with a clang, he put down the zither and stood up, replying: “My wish differs from what the three gentlemen have said.” Confucius said: “What harm is there? Each is merely speaking of his own aspiration.” Zeng Xi said: “In late spring, when spring clothes have been made, with five or six adults and six or seven youths, to bathe in the Yi River, to enjoy the breeze at the Rain Altar, and then to return home singing.” Confucius sighed deeply and said: “I am with Zeng Xi!” Zilu, Ran You, and Gongxi Hua left, while Zeng Xi remained behind. Zeng Xi said: “What about the words of the three gentlemen?” Confucius said: “They were merely each speaking of his own aspiration.” Zeng Xi said: “Why did the Master smile at Zhong You?” Confucius said: “To govern a state, one must practice deference. His words were not at all deferent, so I smiled at him.” “Did Ran Qiu not speak of a state?” “How can a territory of sixty or seventy li square, or fifty or sixty li square, not be considered a state?” “Did Gongxi Chi not speak of a state?” “Ancestral temple ceremonies and alliances of the feudal lords—what are these if not the affairs of a feudal lord? If Gongxi Chi only served as a minor assistant, who could serve as a major assistant?”