Original Text:
蘧伯玉使人于孔子孔子与之坐而问焉曰夫子何为对曰夫子欲寡其过而未能也使者出子曰使乎使乎
Translation:
Other Translations:
Qu Boyu sent a messenger to Confucius. Confucius sat down beside him and asked, “How are things with your Master?”
The messenger replied, “My Master wishes to reduce his faults, but has not yet been able to do so.”
After the messenger left, the Master said, “Now that is a messenger! That is a messenger!”
Confucius, & Slingerland, E. (2003). Analects: With selections from traditional commentaries. Hackett Publishing.
Qu Boyu sent a messenger to Confucius. Confucius seated him at his side and questioned him, saying, What does your master do?
The messenger replied, My master endeavors to lessen his faults, though he is not yet entirely successful.
After the messenger left, the Master said, What a messenger, what a messenger!
Confucius, & Watson, B. (2007). The Analects of Confucius. Columbia University Press.