Revolt

Analects 17.7

Original Text:

佛肸召子欲往子路曰昔者由也闻诸夫子曰亲于其身为不善者君子不入也佛肸以中牟畔子之往也如之何子曰然有是言也不曰坚乎磨而不磷不曰白乎涅而不缁吾岂匏瓜也哉焉能系而不食

Translation:

Other Translations:

Bi Xi summoned Confucius, and the Master was inclined to go.

Zilu said, “In the past, Master, I have heard you say, ‘The gentleman does not enter into association with someone who treats badly those who are close to him.’ Bi Xi is using the city of Zhongmou to stage a rebellion against his superior. How could it be acceptable for you, Master, to go to him?”

The Master replied, “Yes, I have said that. But have I not also said, ‘[A gentleman is] so hard that grinding will not wear him down; so pure that dyeing will not stain him black’? Do you take me to be a bitter gourd, content to merely hang on a string without ever being eaten?”

Confucius, & Slingerland, E. (2003). Analects: With selections from traditional commentaries. Hackett Publishing.

Bi Xi invited the Master to join him, and the Master wanted to go. Zilu said, In the past I have heard you say, When someone is personally doing what is not good, the gentleman will not go near him. Bi Xi has raised a revolt in Zhongmou. What reason could you have to go there?

The Master said, You are right—that’s what I said. But don’t people say, So hard, file it, but it never wears thin? And don’t they say, So white, dirty it, but it never turns black? Am I some sort of bitter melon? Can I go on hanging here and never be eaten?

Confucius, & Watson, B. (2007). The Analects of Confucius. Columbia University Press.

Analects 17.5

Original Text:

公山弗扰以费畔召子欲往子路不说曰末之也已何必公山氏之之也子曰夫召我者而岂徒哉如有用我者吾其为东周乎

Translation:

Other Translations:

Gongshan Furao used the stronghold of Bi to stage a revolt against the Ji Family. He summoned Confucius, and the Master was inclined to go.

Zilu was displeased, and said, “We have nowhere else to go, that is true. But why must we go to the house of Gongshan?”

The Master replied, “I have been summoned—how could it be for naught? If I found someone to employ me, could I not establish a new Zhou in the East?”

Confucius, & Slingerland, E. (2003). Analects: With selections from traditional commentaries. Hackett Publishing.

Gongshan Furao headed a rebellion in the region of Bi and invited Confucius to join him. The Master wanted to go, but Zilu, displeased, said, Don’t go, and that will end the matter. What need is there to join someone like Gongshan?

The Master said, He has invited me—how could it be a complete waste? If someone would only make use of me, I could create a Zhou of the east!

Confucius, & Watson, B. (2007). The Analects of Confucius. Columbia University Press.