When Ching attacked Ch`ên, the western gate of [the capital of]
Ch`ên was broken down. Afterwards the people who had surrendered
were sent to repair it. Confucius passed by without
bowing.[2]
Tzŭ-kung, who was holding the reins, asked, "According
to etiquette (li), on passing three persons one descends [from the
chariot], and on passing two persons one bows. Now there is a
crowd of Ch`ên natives repairing the gate; why is it you did not
bow?"
Confucius said, "Not to know when a state is perishing is not
to be wise. To know it but not fight is not to be loyal. To fight[3]
but not die is not to be brave. Although there is a crowd of those
repairing the gate, they are unable to put into practice a single
one of these [precepts]. That is why I did not bow."
The Ode says,[4]
My anxious heart is full of trouble,
And I am hated by the crowd of mean creatures.
Mean men, however many, are not worth treating with etiquette
(
li).