Tzǔ Lu was displeased. Thereupon Confucius swore a solemn oath, saying: In whatsoever I have sinned, may I be abominable in the sight of God!
The Master said: My function is to indicate rather than to originate. Regarding antiquity as I do with trust and affection, I would venture to compare myself with our ancient patriarch P'êng Tsu.[1]
The unpretentious hiving of wisdom, patient self-cultivation, and untiring instruction of others—to which of these can I make any claim?
The failure to cultivate virtue, the failure to examine and analyse what I have learnt, the inability to move towards righteousness after being shown the way, the inability to correct my faults—these are the causes of my grief.
Alas! what a falling-off is here! Long is it since I dreamt of Chou Kung.[2]
- ↑ A grandson of the legendary Emperor Chuan Hsü. He is said to have been over 800 years old when ho disappeared into the west in the eleventh century B.C. The last words in the text are taken by some to mean "our patriarchs Lao Tzǔ and P'eng Tsu"—Lao Tzǔ being the founder of Taoism, who is also, by the way, alleged to have disappeared at an advanced age into the west.
- ↑ One of the most revered names in Chinese history. The younger brother of Wu Wang, he helped materially by his wise counsels to establish the dynasty of Chou. He drew up a legal code, purified the morals of the people, and devoted
