Duke Ching of Ch`i went out hunting and after seventeen days
had not returned. Yen-tzŭ went after him in a chariot. On
arriving, his gown and cap were awry. On seeing him Duke Ching
was astonished and said, "Master, why are you in such a hurry?
Is there an emergency?"
Yen-tzŭ replied, "Yes, there is an emergency. The people of
the state with one accord think that Your Highness hates the
people but loves animals. I have heard that when fish and turtles
get tired of the depths and come to the surface
[2]
the result is that
they are taken by hook or by net. When animals get tired of
the wilds
[3]
and come down to the cities and plains the result is that
they are taken by hunters. Now Your Highness has been out
hunting for seventeen days without returning; is not this rather
excessive?"
Duke Ching said, "Not so. If there are guests is there no one
to meet them?—the Hsing-jên Tzŭ-niu is there for that. Is there
no one to offer blood and food [sacrifices] in the ancestral temple?
—the Chu-jên T`ai-tsai is there for that. Are there litigations
undecided?—the Ta-li Tzŭ-chi is there for that. Is there inequality
in distribution in the state?—Wu Hsien is there to take care of
that. My having these four officers is analogous to having four
limbs which can act for me. What is there to worry about?"[4]
Yen-tzŭ said, "Certainly. If a man's heart had four limbs that
could act for it, that would be fine. But if the four limbs lacked
a heart for seventeen days, would they not die?"
Duke Ching said, "Well said," and then taking Yen-tzŭ by the
hand, drove back with him, putting him on his right in the same
chariot. Of Yen-tzŭ it may be said that he was skillful at offering
remonstrances.
