There is the story of Pien Chuang-tzŭ, who loved valor. While
his mother was in good health, he was in three battles and three
times he fled. His friends criticized him and the prince of the
state heaped shame on him. Pien Chuang-tzŭ endured his prince's
censure[2]
without changing countenance. Three years after the
death of his mother, when Lu raised an army, Pien Chuang-tzŭ
asked to accompany it. At his interview with the general of the
forces he said, "Formerly I was still living with my mother, and
for this reason I fled from battle to the disgrace of my person.
Now that my mother is dead, I should like to atone for my
failure."
[3]
Then he rushed to the enemy and fought with them.
Taking a soldier's head, he [came back and] presented it [saying],
"With this I should like to atone for my first flight." He took
another head and presented it [saying], "With this I should like
to atone for my second flight."
The general stopped him and said, "This is enough."
He would not stop but again took a head and presented it
saying, "With this I should like to atone for my third flight."
The general stopped him and said, "This is enough. I would
like to make you my [sworn] brother."
Pien Chuang-tzŭ said, "I ran away three times[4]
so that I might
[live to] look after my mother. Now my mother is dead and I have
atoned for my failure. I have heard that the gentleman of principle
does not live in disgrace." Wherewith he charged the enemy,
killing seventy men before he died.
On hearing of this the superior man would say, "The three
flights he atoned for, but he went on and exterminated his family
and put an end to [the sacrifices to] his ancestors. This gentleman's
capacity for principle was small; he was not filial to the last
degree."
The Ode says,[5]
All are [good] at first
But few prove themselves to be so at the last.
