Han shih wai chuan Han Ying's Illustrations of the didactic application of the Classic of songs |
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CHAPTER VII Han shih wai chuan | ||
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
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]
[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.
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."
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.' "
CHAPTER VII Han shih wai chuan | ||