Duke Huan of Ch`i set out wine and ordered the Great Officers,[2]
"The last one[3]
shall have to drink a ching measure." Kuan Chung
was last and was supposed to drink the ching measure. He drank
one half and threw out the other half.
Duke Huan said, "Chung-fu, you were supposed to drink a
ching measure. Why did you throw it out?"
Kuan Chung said, "I have heard that when wine enters one's
mouth his tongue comes out.[4]
One whose tongue comes out casts
away his person. Is it not better to cast away wine than to cast
away one's person?" Duke Huan approved.
The Ode says,[5]
You are besotted by drink.