Confucius was at leisure, when Tzŭ-kung advanced holding up
his robe with both hands[2]
and said, "Your disciple has served
his master for years, until his abilities are exhausted and his
[capacity for] knowledge is come to an end. Though he be stirred
up with learning, he is unable to advance further, and he would
like to take a rest."
Confucius said, "Tz`ŭ, where do you want to rest?"
"I would like to rest by serving my prince."
Confucius said, "The Ode says,[3]
Never idle day or night,
In the service of the One man.
Service like this is not easy. What rest would you get from that?"
"I would like[4]
to rest by serving my father."
Confucius said, "The Ode says,[5]
For such filial piety, without ceasing,
There will ever be conferred blessing on you.
Service like this is not easy. What rest would you get from that?"
"I would like to rest by serving my brothers."[6]
Confucius said, "The Ode says,[7]
Loving union with wife and children
Is like the music of lutes;
But it is the accord of brothers
Which makes intense[8]
the harmony and happiness.
Service like this is not easy. What rest would you get from that?"
"I would like to rest by tilling the fields."
Confucius said, "The Ode says,[9]
In the daytime collect the grass,
And at night twist it into ropes;
Then get up quickly on our roofs:—
We shall have to recommence our sowing.
Service like this is not easy. What rest would you get from that?"
Tzŭ-kung said, "Then is there any rest at all for the superior
man?"
Confucius said, " `Covered in his coffin, he stops toiling (?).
He does not [then] know the vicissitudes of his time.'[10]
This is
a statement of where the superior man rests. Truly he studies
without ceasing until, shut up in his coffin, he stops at last."
The Ode says,[11]
By daily progress and monthly advance.
It refers to one who studies.
