Confucian Analects Book XVIII Part 1 (孔夫子論語:微子第十八 第一部份) from Administrator's blog

Author: Confucius (孔夫子); translated by James Legge

The Master said,Can I herd with birds and beasts? he said. Whom but these men can I take as fellows? And if the Way were kept by all below heaven, I should not need to change them.

微子第十八

BOOK XVIII

1. 微子去之,箕子為之奴,比干諫而死。孔子曰:「殷有三仁焉!」

The lord of Wei left, the lord of Chi was made a slave, Pi-kan spake out, and died. Confucius said, Three of the Yin had love.

2. 柳下惠為士師,三黜。人曰:「子未可以去乎?」曰:「直道而事人,焉往而不三黜 !枉道而事人,何必去父母之邦!」

Whilst Liu-hsia Hui was Chief Knight he was dismissed thrice. Men said. Is it not yet time to leave. Sir? He answered, If I serve men the straight way, where can I go without being dismissed thrice? If I am to serve men the crooked way, why should I leave the land of my father and mother?

3. 齊景公待孔子曰:「若季氏則吾不能,以季、孟之間待之。」曰:「吾老矣。不能 用也。」孔子行。

Speaking of how to treat Confucius, Ching, Duke of Ch'i, said, I cannot treat him as I do the Chi. I put him between Chi and Meng. I am old, he said; I cannot use him. Confucius left.

4. 齊人歸女樂,季桓子受之,三日不朝,孔子行。

The men of Ch'I sent a gift of music girls. Chi Huan accepted them, and for three days no court was held. Confucius left.

5. 楚狂接輿,歌而過孔子曰:「鳳兮!鳳兮!何德之衰?往者不可諫,來者猶可追。 已而!已而!今之從政者殆而!」孔子下,欲與之言。趨而辟之,不得與之言。

Chieh-yü, the mad-head of Ch'u, as he passed Confucius, sang, Phoenix, bright phoenix,Thy glory is ended!Think of to-morrow;The past can't be mended.Up and away!The Court is todayWith danger attended. Confucius alighted, for he wished to speak with him: but he hurried away, and he could not speak with him.

6. 長沮桀溺耦而耕。孔子過之,使子路問津焉。長沮曰:「夫執輿者為誰?」子路曰: 「為孔丘。」曰:「是魯孔丘與?」曰:「是也。」曰:「是知津矣!」問於桀溺,桀溺曰:「子為誰?」曰:「為仲由。」曰:「是魯孔丘之徒與?」對曰:「然。」曰:「滔滔者,天下皆是也,而誰以易之?且而與其從辟人之士也,豈若從辟世之士哉?」耰而不輟。子路行以告,夫子憮然曰:「鳥獸不可與同群,吾非斯人之徒與而誰與?天下有道,丘不與易也。」

Ch'ang-chü and Chieh-ni were working in the fields. As Confucius passed them, he sent Tzu-lu to ask for the ford. Ch'ang-chü said, Who is that holding the reins? He is K'ung Ch'iu, said Tzu-lu. Is he K'ung Ch'iu of Lu? Yes, said Tzu-lu. He knows the ford, said Ch'ang-chü. Tzu-lu asked Chieh-ni. Who are ye, Sir? he answered. I am Chung Yu. The disciple of K'ung Ch'iu of Lu? Yes, he answered. All below heaven is seething and boiling, said Chieh-ni, who can change it? How much better would it be to follow a knight that flees the world than to follow a knight that flees persons! And he went on hoeing without stop. Tzu-lu went and told the Master, whose face fell. Can I herd with birds and beasts? he said. Whom but these men can I take as fellows? And if the Way were kept by all below heaven, I should not need to change them.


Previous post     
     Next post
     Blog home
No comments

The Wall

You need to sign in to comment