The Different Dukes

Confucius described:

• Duke Wan of Tsin as “artful but not upright”
• Duke Hwan of Ts’i as “upright but not artful.

Tsz-Lu

When Duke Hwan caused his brother Kiu to be put to death, Shau Hwuh committed suicide, but Kwan Chung did not. He had not much good-will in him eh?

Confucius

When Duke Hwan held a great gathering of the feudal lords, dispensing with military equipage, it was owing to Kwan Chung’s energy that such an event was brought about. Match such good-will as that�match it if you can.

Tsz-Kung

But was not Kwan Chung lacking in good-will?

He could not give up his life when Duke Hwan caused his brother to be put to death. Besides, he became the duke’s counsellor.

Confucius

In acting as his counsellor, he put him at the head of all the feudal lords and unified and reformed the whole empire. The people, even to this day, reap benefit from what he did.

Had it not been for him we should have been going about with locks unkempt and buttoning our jackets (like barbarians) on the left.

Would you suppose that he should show the same sort of attachment as exists between a poor yokel and his one wife�that he would asphyxiate himself in some sewer, leaving no one the wiser?

Kung-shuh Wan’s steward became the high officer Sien. He went up accompanied by Wan to the prince’s hall of audience.

When Confucius heard of this he remarked, “He may well be esteemed a ‘Wan,’”

The Master having made some reference to the lawless ways of Duke Ling of Wei, Ki K’ang said to him,

If he be like that, how is it he does not ruin his position?” Confucius answered, “The Chung-shuh, Yu, is charged with the entertainment of visitors and strangers; the priest T’o has charge of the ancestral temple; and Wang-sun Ki� has the control of the army and its divisions with men such as those, how should he come to ruin?” He once remarked, “He who is unblushing in his words will with difficulty substantiate them.

Ch’in Shing had slain Duke Kien.

Hearing of this, Confucius, after performing his ablutions, went to Court and announced the news to Duke Ngai, saying,

Confucius

Ch’in Hang has slain his prince. May I request that you proceed against him?

Duke Ngai

Inform the Chiefs of the Three Families

Confucius

Since he uses me to back his ministers*, I did not dare not to announce the matter to him; and now he says, ‘Inform the Three Chiefs.’

He went to the Three Chiefs and informed them, but nothing could be done. Whereupon again he said:

Confucius

Since he uses me to back his ministers, I did not dare not to announce the matter.

Tsz-Lu

How should I serve the prince?

Confucius

Deceive him not, but reprove him. The minds of superior men trend upwards; those of inferior men trend downwards.

Students of old fixed their eyes upon themselves= now they learn with their eyes upon others.

Pih-yuh despatched a man with a message to Confucius.

Confucius gave him a seat, and among other inquiries he asked:

Confucius

How is your master managing?

Messenger

My master has a great wish to be seldom at fault, and as yet he cannot manage it.

When the man went out, Confucius said:

Confucius

(Admiringly) What a messenger!

When not occupying the office, devise not the policy.

The Learned Tsang used to say:

“The thoughts of the ‘superior man’ do not wander from his own office.”

“Superior men are modest in their words, profuse in their deeds.”