who are always ready to assail others with their tongue are sure to make themselves disliked. As to Yung's goodness of heart I have no certain knowledge; but how would he benefit by having cleverness of speech?
The Master said: My teaching makes no headway. How and if I were to board a raft and float away over the sea? My friend Yu would come with me, I feel sure.—Tzǔ Lu, hearing this, was glad. The Master continued: Yu surpasses me in his love of daring, but he lacks discretion and judgment.
Mêng Wu Po asked whether Tzǔ Lu had true moral virtue. The Master replied: I do not know.—Asked a second time, the Master said Yu might be trusted to organise the military levies of a large and powerful State, but whether he is possessed of true virtue I cannot say.—And what is your opinion with regard to Ch'iu?—The Master said: Ch'iu might be entrusted with the government of a district numbering a thousand households or a hundred war-chariots, but whether he has true virtue I cannot say.—And Ch'ih, what of him?—The Master said: Ch'ih might be employed to stand in his official dress at a royal levée and converse with the visitors and guests; whether he has true virtue I cannot say.[1]
- ↑ Confucius probably wished to impress upon his questioner that true moral virtue (jên) was deeply implanted in the soul,
