The Former Disciples

Confucius said, "Those who first learn rituals and music before taking office were commoners without hereditary rank. Those who assumed office first and then learned rituals and music were scions of noble families. If I were to select talent, I would choose those who learned rituals and music first."

Confucius said, "The disciples who endured hardships with me between Chen and Cai are no longer by my side."

Those excelling in virtue included Yan Yuan, Min Ziqian, Ran Boniu, and Zhong Gong. Skilled in speech were Zai Wo and Zigong. Adept in governance were Ran You and Ji Lu. Proficient in classical literature were Ziyou and Zixia.

Confucius remarked, "Yan Hui is no mere follower—he never disagrees with anything I say."

Confucius said, "How filial Min Ziqian is! No one disputes the praises of his conduct toward parents and siblings."

After Nan Rong repeatedly recited the poem "White Jade Scepter," Confucius married his elder brother's daughter to him.

Ji Kangzi asked, "Who among your disciples is most studious?" Confucius replied, "There was Yan Hui—unfortunately, he died young. Now there is none like him."

When Yan Yuan died, his father Yan Lu asked Confucius to sell his carriage for an outer coffin. Confucius said, "Talented or not, every son is precious. When my son Kong Li died, he had only a coffin. I cannot sell my carriage to walk—having served as minister, I must not travel on foot."

Upon Yan Yuan's death, Confucius lamented, "Alas! Heaven destroys me! Heaven destroys me!"

When Confucius wept bitterly for Yan Yuan, followers said, "You grieve excessively!" He replied, "Excessive? If not for him, for whom should I grieve?"

Disciples wished to bury Yan Yuan lavishly against Confucius' wishes. He said, "He treated me as a father, yet I couldn't treat him as a son. This wasn't my will—it was the disciples' doing."

Ji Lu asked about serving spirits. Confucius said, "If you cannot serve the living, how serve spirits?" Ji Lu asked of death. Confucius replied, "Not understanding life, how understand death?"

Min Ziqian stood respectfully upright; Zilu appeared fiercely resolute; Ran You and Zigong looked cheerful. Confucius observed, "Someone like Zhongyou (Zilu) may not die naturally."

When Lu officials planned to renovate the Longfu treasury, Min Ziqian said, "Why alter what works?" Confucius remarked, "Min Ziqian speaks sparingly, but always hits the mark."

Confucius said, "Why does Zhongyou play the zither here?" Other disciples lost respect for Zilu. Confucius added, "Zhongyou's learning has form but lacks refinement."

Zigong asked whether Zizhang or Zixia was superior. Confucius said, "Zizhang overshoots; Zixia falls short." Zigong said, "Then Zizhang is better?" Confucius replied, "To overshoot is as bad as to fall short."

The Ji family surpassed Zhou court nobles in wealth, yet Ran Qiu still enriched them. Confucius declared, "He's no disciple of mine! Denounce him openly!"

Gao Chai was simple; Zeng Shen slow; Zizhang extreme; Zhongyou rash.

Confucius said, "Yan Hui's virtue neared perfection, yet he remained poor. Zigong defied fate through shrewd trade."

Zizhang asked about becoming virtuous. Confucius said, "Without following sages' footsteps, one's learning remains incomplete."

Confucius mused, "Those constantly praising honest speech—are they truly noble, or merely pretending dignity?"

Zilu asked, "Should one act immediately upon hearing duty?" Confucius said, "With living father and brothers, how dare you?" Ran You asked the same. Confucius said, "Act at once." Gongxi Hua, confused, sought clarification. Confucius explained, "Ran You hesitates—I push him. Zhongyou is overbold—I restrain him."

When trapped in Kuang, Yan Hui later arrived. Confucius said, "I thought you dead." Yan Hui replied, "While you live, how dare I die?"

Ji Ziran asked if Zilu and Ran Qiu qualified as great ministers. Confucius said, "I thought you meant others. True ministers serve rulers with benevolence, resigning if thwarted. These two are merely placeholder officials." Asked if they were obedient, Confucius said, "Not to patricide or regicide."

When Zilu recommended Zigao as Fei's governor, Confucius called it "harming the youth." Zilu argued, "Why study when governing people and land?" Confucius retorted, "This is why I detest glib talkers."

Zilu, Zeng Xi, Ran You, and Gongxi Hua sat with Confucius, who said, "Don't hesitate for my age. You often say, 'No one knows me!' If known, what would you do?"

Zilu instantly replied: "A state of thousand chariots, besieged by enemies and famine—in three years I'd make people brave and virtuous." Confucius smiled.

"Ran Qiu, you?"

"A territory of sixty li—in three years I'd enrich the people. Ritual refinement awaits true gentlemen."

"Gongxi Hua, you?"

"Not claiming ability, I wish to learn—assisting in ancestral rites or royal audiences as minor ceremonial officer."

"Zeng Xi, you?"

(Amid fading zither notes) Zeng Xi stood: "My ambition differs. In late spring, wearing new clothes, I'd bathe in Yi River with friends, enjoy the breeze at Wuyu Terrace, and return singing." Confucius sighed, "I agree with Dian!"

Later, Zeng Xi asked about the others' answers. Confucius said, "Each spoke their aspiration. I smiled at Zhongyou—governing requires ritual, yet he showed no humility." 

To queries about Ran You and Gongxi Hua's statecraft, Confucius countered: "Are small territories not states? Are rituals and diplomacy not great matters? If Gongxi Hua serves as junior minister, who then is senior?"