The disciples who were with him said, "Can you
not have done with him?" "I have heard," was the
reply, "that relations should not forget their
relationship, nor old acquaintances their friendship[1]."
25. Kâo Wǎn-𝖟ze and Shû-yü were looking about them at the Nine Plains[2], when Wǎn-𝖟ze said, "If these dead could arise, with whom would I associate myself?" Shû-yü asked, "Would it be with Yang Khû-fû[3]?" "He managed by his course," was the reply, "to concentrate in himself all the power of 𝖅in, and yet he did not die a natural death. His wisdom does not deserve to be commended."
"Would it be with uncle Fan[4]?" Wǎn-𝖟ze said, "When he saw gain in prospect, he did not think of his ruler; his virtue does not deserve to be commended[4]. I think I would follow Wû-𝖟ze of Sui[5]. While seeking the advantage of his ruler, he did not forget himself; and while consulting for his own advantage, he was not forgetful of his friends."
The people of 𝖅in thought that Wǎn-𝖟ze knew men. He carried himself in a retiring way, as if he could not bear even his clothes. His speech
- ↑ We have another instance of Confucius's relations with Yüan Zang in the Analects, XIV, 46. He was evidently "queer," with a sort of craze. It gives one a new idea of Confucius to find his interest in, and kindly feeling for, such a man.
- ↑ See paragraph 19 and note.
- ↑ Master of duke Hsiang B.C. 627-621, and an important minister afterwards.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 See in paragraph 19, Part i. But scant measure is dealt here to "uncle Fan."
- ↑ Wû-𝖟ze of Sui had an eventful life, and played an important part in the affairs of 𝖅in and Khin in his time. See a fine testimony to him in the 𝖅o Kwan, under B.C. 546.
