CONFUCIUS' ESTIMATE OF OTHERS
79
The Master said: None of those who accompanied me on the journey to the states of Ch'ên and Ts'ai come to learn from me now.[1] Distinguished for their virtuous conduct were Yen Yüan, Min Tzǔ-ch'ien, Jan Po-niu and Chung Kung; for their skill in speaking, Tsai Wo and Tzǔ Kung; for their administrative powers, Jan Yu and Chi Lu; for their literary attainments, Tzǔ Yu and Tzǔ Hsia.
Hui does not help me[2]—he takes such delight in everything I say.
What noble piety[3] is that of Min Tzu-ch'ien! Other men speak of him in exactly the same terms as his own parents and his own brethren.
When Yen Yüan died, the Master wept with
- ↑ This must have been said by Confucius after his return from exile, when many of his followers were dead or in other parts of the Empire. Ch'ên and Ts'ai are particularly mentioned because it was on the road between these two small states that he met with the most perilous adventure of his life, being surrounded by hostile troops and cut off from all supplies for the space of seven days (see p. 115). It is not quite clear whether the next sentence should not be taken as a note added by the compiler, giving the names of those who wore with the Master on this journey.
- ↑ By criticism or questioning. Cf. p. 71.
- ↑ On hsiao, occurring in another treatise, Mr. Ku Hung-ming has the following note: "The word in the text does not mean merely a filial son, but has the meaning of the Latin 'pius'—pious in its full sense, reverential to God, dutiful to parents, good, faithful and orderly in all the relations of life."
