The ruler said, "Formerly when our state of Wei was suffering from a severe famine, your father had gruel made, and gave it to the famishing;—was not this a proof of how kind he was? Moreover, in a time of trouble[1], he protected me at the risk of his own life;—was not this a proof of how faithful he was? And while he administered the government of Wei, he so maintained the regulations for the different classes, and conducted its intercourse with the neighbouring states all round, that its altars sustained no disgrace;—was not this a proof of how accomplished he was? Therefore let us call him 'The Faithful, Kind, and Accomplished.' "
14. Shih Tâi-kung died, leaving no son by his wife proper, and six sons by concubines. The tortoise-shell being consulted as to which of them should be the fathers successor, it was said that by their bathing and wearing of their girdle-pendants the indication would be given. Five of them accordingly bathed and put on the girdle-pendants with their gems. Shih Khî-𝖟ze, however, said, "Whoever, being engaged with the mourning rites for a parent, bathed his head or his body, and put on his girdle-pendants?" and he declined to do either, and this was considered to be the indication. The people of Wei considered that the tortoise-shell had shown a (true) knowledge.
15. Khǎn 𝖅ze-kü having died in Wei, his wife and the principal officer of the family consulted together
- ↑ This was in B.C. 512. Twice in the Analects (XIV, 14, 19) Kung-shuh Wǎn-𝖟ze, "Kung-shu, the accomplished," is mentioned. Whether he received the long honorary title given in the conclusion of this paragraph is considered doubtful.
