Han shih wai chuan :: :: University of Virginia Library

Han shih wai chuan

Han Ying's Illustrations of the didactic application of the Classic of songs

Han, Ying

[title page]

II.

III.

IV.

VI.

VII.

VIII.

IX.

TABLE OF UNUSUAL ORTHOGRAPHIES

FINDING LIST

INDEX OF PROPER NAMES

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7

Tsêng-tzŭ said, "When they are gone, there is no recalling
them—such are our parents.[1] When they have reached their
limit there is no adding to them—such are the years [of their
lives]. This is why,[2] though the filial son may wish to go on
supporting them, his parents can not tarry [forever];[3] and though
a tree may wish [to remain] straight, the seasons do not give it a
chance.[4] Thus to slaughter an ox as a sacrifice at their grave is
not so good as bringing chickens and pigs to parents while they
are still alive. That is why I was only too glad to serve as an
officer in Ch`i with a salary of only a chung[5] and a fu [of grain];
not because I thought it much, but I was happy that I could get
it to my parents. After their death I once went south to Ch`u,
where I got an honorable position, with a hall nine jên high that

231

had projecting beams three wei in circumference.[6] I had a hundred
carts bringing me gifts, but still I looked to the north and wept.
Not that I thought [my treatment] too mean, but I was grieved
that I could not get it to my parents.[7] So one whose family is
poor and whose parents are old is not particular about the office
he will fill.[8] One who, for the sake of his ambition, stints his
parents is not filial."

The Ode says,[9]

Our mothers have to do all the labor of cooking.[10]

[1]

Cf. HSWC 9/3, where this statement is attributed to Kao Yü.

[2]

[OMITTED] is redundant here; it occurs again below before [OMITTED].

[3]

HSWC 9/3 is the same, but omits [OMITTED].

[4]

[OMITTED]. Logically this phrase should precede the one above as
in HSWC 9/3 with [OMITTED]. It is in terms of this line that I have translated
[OMITTED] and [OMITTED]. The passage may be corrupt, but sense can be forced out of it.

[5]

For [OMITTED] read [OMITTED]; cf. HSWC 3/20, note 4.

[6]

CHy has [OMITTED] for [OMITTED], likewise Lei-chü 21.9a and Po-t`ieh 8.63b. (Chao 172.) Cf.
Mencius 496 (7B/34.2): "Halls several times eight cubits high, with beams projecting
several cubits."

[7]

Cf. Chuang-tzŭ 7.16b (Legge, Texts of Taoism 2.145): "Tsêng-tzŭ twice took
office, and on the two occasions his state of mind was different. He said, `While my
parents were alive I took office, and though my emolument was only three fu of grain,
my mind was happy. Afterwards when I took office, my emolument was three thousand
chung; but I could not share it with my parents, and my mind was sad.' "

[8]

Cf. HSWC 1/1.

[9]

Shih 299 No. 185/3.

[10]

Mao shih has [OMITTED] for [OMITTED].