Confucius was wandering on top of Mt. Ching.[2]
Tzŭ-lu, Tzŭ-kung,
and Yen Yüan accompanied him. Confucius said, "The
superior man, when he climbs to a height, must express himself.[3]
My little children, speak out your desires, whatever they may be.
I am going to instruct you."
Tzŭ-lu said, "I wish I might brandish a long lance and oppose
the three armies, with a nursing tiger[4]
behind me and my enemies
in front. Like a li insect I would leap, like a dragon I would rush[5]
as I advanced to rescue two states from grief."
Confucius said, "A brave soldier!"
Tzŭ-kung said, "Say two countries are involved in trouble.
Stout men form ranks, and the dust [of battle] rises to heaven.
Then I, without grasping a weapon [so much as] a foot long or
[possessing a single] measure of grain, will smooth away the trouble
between the two states. The one that employs me will be preserved,
and the one that does not employ me will be lost."
Confucius said, "A sophist!"
Yen Hui had no wish. Confucius said, "Why don't you make
a wish?"
Yen Yüan said, "Since the other two have [expressed] their
wishes, I dare not."
Confucius said, "Their ideas were not the same, and each
invented a situation [to illustrate his ambition]. May you make
a wish. I am going to instruct you."
Yen Yüan said, "I wish I might be minister in a small state.
The ruler would govern by the True Way, and his subjects would
be reformed by his transforming virtue. Prince and subjects
would be of one mind, and those inside and those outside [the
court] would respond to one another. Of the various states and
the feudal lords, none but would fall in line with i and be subject
to [my] influence. The able-bodied would rush to come forward,
and the old would come leaning on their staves. My teachings
would take effect among the people and my transforming virtue
would pass to the four barbarians. Everyone would give up his
weapons and assemble inside the four gates [of my capital]. In
the world everywhere enduring peace would prevail. Flying or
crawling,[6]
each [creature] would rejoice in his own nature. I would
advance the worthy and employ the able, each to be in charge
of the office suited to himself. Then the prince above would be
tranquil and his subjects below would be in harmony. I would let
[my robes] fall, fold my hands,[7]
and practice noninterference.
What was done would coincide with the True Way, naturally and
easily adhering to li.[8]
Those who spoke of jên and i I would
reward, and those who spoke of war and strife I would put to
death. So what occasion would Yu have for `advancing and
rescuing'? What difficulties would T`zŭ have to smooth away?"
Confucius said, "A saint! When a great man appears, mean
men hide away, and when a saint arises, sages fall prostrate. In
a government with Hui, how would you, Yu and Tz`ŭ, have a
chance to show your abilities?"
The Ode says,[9]
The snow may have fallen abundantly,[10]
But when it feels the sun's heat,[11]
it dissolves.
