Analects 14.19
Original Text:
子言卫灵公之无道也康子曰夫如是奚而不丧孔子曰仲叔圉治宾客祝鮀治宗庙王孙贾治军旅夫如是奚其丧
Translation:
Other Translations:
The Master remarked that Duke Ling of Wei lacked the Way. Ji Kangzi said, “If that is so, why has he not lost his state?”
The Master replied, “Kong Wenzi manages his diplomatic protocol, Priest Tuo manages his ancestral temples, and Wangsun Jia manages his military affairs. This being the case, how could he lose his state?”
Confucius, & Slingerland, E. (2003). Analects: With selections from traditional commentaries. Hackett Publishing.
Speaking of Duke Ling of Wei, the Master said that he lacked the Way.
Ji Kangzi said, If so, why doesn’t he meet with failure?
Confucius said, He has Zhongshu Yu (Gongshu Wenzi) to receive foreign envoys, Invocator Tuo to supervise the ancestral temples, and Wangsun Jia to handle military affairs. Given such conditions, how could he fail?
Confucius, & Watson, B. (2007). The Analects of Confucius. Columbia University Press.