Hsien asked what was shameful. When good government prevails in a state, to be thinking only of salary, and when bad government prevails, to be thinking in the same way only of salary: this is shameful. When the love of superiority, boasting, resentments, and covetousness are repressed, this may be deemed perfect virtue. This may be regarded as the achievement of what is difficult. But I do not know that it is to be deemed perfect virtue. The scholar who cherishes the love of comfort is not fit to be deemed a scholar. When good government prevails, language may be lofty and bold, and actions the same. When bad government prevails, the actions may be lofty and bold, but the language may be with some reserve. The virtuous will be sure to speak correctly, but those whose speech is good may not always be virtuous. Men of principle are sure to be bold, but those who are bold may not always be men of principle. Nan-kung Kwo said I was skilful at archery, and Ao could move a boat along upon the land, but neither died a natural death. Yu and Chi personally wrought at the toils of husbandry, and they became possessors of the kingdom. The Master made no reply. When Nan-kung Kwo went out he said, a superior man indeed is this.
In preparing the governmental notifications, four hands moved the draft, the discussion, the polish, and the finish. Asked about Tsze-ch'an, he was a kind man. Asked about Kwan Chung: the city of Pien was taken from the chief of the Po family, who did not utter a murmuring word, though to the end of his life he had only coarse rice to eat. To be poor without murmuring is difficult. To be rich without being proud is easy. Tsze-lu asked what constituted a complete man. The man who in the view of gain thinks of righteousness, who in the view of danger is prepared to give up his life, and who does not forget an old agreement however far back it extends: such a man may be reckoned a complete man. Tsze-lu said Duke Hwan caused his brother Chiu to be killed. Shao Hu died with his master, but Kwan Chung did not die. May I not say he was wanting in virtue. Duke Hwan assembled all the princes together, and that not with weapons of war. It was all through the influence of Kwan Chung. Tsze-kung pressed the same charge. Down to the present day, the people enjoy the gifts which he conferred. But for Kwan Chung, we should now be wearing our hair unbound, and the lappets of our coats buttoning on the left side. Will you require from him the small fidelity of common men and common women, who would commit suicide in a stream or ditch, no one knowing anything about them. Speaking of the unprincipled course of duke Ling of Wei, Ch'i K'ang asked how he does not lose his State. Chung-shu Yu has the guests. The litanist T'o has the ancestral temple. Wang-sun Chia has the army. With such officers as these, how should he lose his State.
Chan Ch'ang murdered the Duke Chien of Ch'i. Confucius bathed, went to court, and informed duke Ai: Chan Hang has slain his sovereign. I beg that you will undertake to punish him. The duke said, inform the chiefs of the three families of it. He went to the chiefs. They would not act. Following in the rear of the great officers, I did not dare not to represent such a matter. Do not impose on a ruler, and, moreover, withstand him to his face. In ancient times, men learned with a view to their own improvement. Now-a-days, men learn with a view to the approbation of others. Chu Po-yu's messenger said his master is anxious to make his faults few, but he has not yet succeeded. A messenger indeed. I will not be concerned at men's not knowing me. I will be concerned at my own want of ability. Some one said, what do you say concerning the principle that injury should be recompensed with kindness. With what then will you recompense kindness. Recompense injury with justice, and recompense kindness with kindness. Alas, there is no one that knows me. I do not murmur against Heaven. I do not grumble against men. But there is Heaven that knows me. Kung-po Liao slandered Tsze-lu. If my principles are to advance, it is so ordered. If they are to fall to the ground, it is so ordered. What can the Kung-po Liao do where such ordering is concerned. The gatekeeper at Shih-man said it is he who knows the impracticable nature of the times and yet will be doing in them. A youth of the village of Ch'ueh was employed to carry the messages. I observe that he is fond of occupying the seat of a full-grown man. I observe that he walks shoulder to shoulder with his elders. He is not one who is seeking to make progress in learning. He wishes quickly to become a man.
