The head of the Chi family was going to attack Chwan-yu. Zan Yu and Chi-lu said their chief would commence operations. Confucius said, Ch'iu, is it not you who are in fault here. Long ago a former king appointed its ruler to preside over the sacrifices to the eastern Mang. It is in the midst of the territory of the state, and its ruler is a minister in direct connexion with the sovereign. What has your chief to do with attacking it. Zan Yu said their master wishes the thing; neither of us two ministers wishes it. There are the words of Chau Zan. When he can put forth his ability, he takes his place in the ranks of office. When he finds himself unable to do so, he retires from it. How can he be used as a guide to a blind man, who does not support him when tottering, nor raise him up when fallen. When a tiger or rhinoceros escapes from his cage, when a tortoise or piece of jade is injured in its repository, whose is the fault. Zan Yu said Chwan-yu is strong and near to Pi; if they do not take it now, it will hereafter be a sorrow to his descendants. The superior man hates that declining to say I want such and such a thing, and framing explanations for the conduct. Rulers of states and chiefs of families are not troubled lest their people should be few, but lest they should not keep their several places. They are not troubled with fears of poverty, but with fears of a want of contented repose. When the people keep their places, there will be no poverty. When harmony prevails, there will be no scarcity of people. When there is such a contented repose, there will be no rebellious upsettings. If remoter people are not submissive, all the influences of civil culture and virtue are to be cultivated to attract them. Yu and Ch'iu are assisting their chief. Remoter people are not submissive, and with their help he cannot attract them. In his own territory there are divisions and downfalls, leavings and separations, and with their help he cannot preserve it. And yet he is planning these hostile movements within the state. The sorrow of the Chi-sun family will not be on account of Chwan-yu, but will be found within the screen of their own court.
When good government prevails in the empire, ceremonies, music, and punitive military expeditions proceed from the son of Heaven. When bad government prevails, they proceed from the princes, then from the great officers, then from the subsidiary ministers of the great officers, and the cases will be few in which they do not lose their power in ten, five, or three generations. When right principles prevail, government will not be in the hands of the great officers, and there will be no discussions among the common people. The revenue of the state has left the ducal House now for five generations. The government has been in the hands of the great officers for four. On this account the descendants of the three Hwan are much reduced. There are three friendships which are advantageous, and three which are injurious. Friendship with the upright, the sincere, and the man of much observation. Friendship with the man of specious airs, the insinuatingly soft, and the glib-tongued. There are three things men find enjoyment in which are advantageous, and three which are injurious. Discriminating study of ceremonies and music, speaking of the goodness of others, many worthy friends. Extravagant pleasures, idleness and sauntering, the pleasures of feasting. Three errors before a man of virtue and station. Speak when it does not come to you to speak: this is rashness. Do not speak when it comes to you to speak: this is concealment. Speak without looking at the countenance: this is blindness. Three things the superior man guards against. In youth, when the physical powers are not yet settled, lust. When he is strong and the powers are full of vigour, quarrelsomeness. When he is old and the animal powers are decayed, covetousness. Three things of which he stands in awe: the ordinances of Heaven, great men, and the words of sages. The mean man does not know those ordinances, is disrespectful to great men, and makes sport of the words of sages. Those who are born with the possession of knowledge are the highest class. Those who learn and so get possession of knowledge are next. Those who are dull and stupid and yet compass the learning are next. Those who are dull and stupid and yet do not learn are the lowest of the people. The superior man has nine things which are subjects with him of thoughtful consideration. In regard to the eyes, he is anxious to see clearly. In regard to the ears, to hear distinctly. Countenance benign. Demeanour respectful. Speech sincere. Business reverently careful. What he doubts about, he is anxious to question others. When he is angry, he thinks of the difficulties his anger may involve him in. When he sees gain to be got, he thinks of righteousness.
Contemplating good and pursuing it as if they could not reach it, contemplating evil and shrinking from it as they would from thrusting the hand into boiling water: I have seen such men, as I have heard such words. Living in retirement to study their aims, and practising righteousness to carry out their principles: I have heard these words, but I have not seen such men. The duke Ching of Ch'i had a thousand teams, each of four horses, but on the day of his death the people did not praise him for a single virtue. Po-i and Shu-ch'i died of hunger at the foot of the Shau-yang mountain, and the people, down to the present time, praise them. Ch'an K'ang asked Po-yu whether he had heard any lessons from his father different from what they had all heard. No. He was standing alone once, when I passed below the hall with hasty steps. Have you learned the Odes. Not yet. If you do not learn the Odes, you will not be fit to converse with. Another day, in the same way: have you learned the rules of Propriety. Not yet. If you do not learn the rules of Propriety, your character cannot be established. I asked one thing, and I have got three things. I have heard about the Odes. I have heard about the rules of Propriety. I have also heard that the superior man maintains a distant reserve towards his son.
