Wei Zi

Weizi left King Zhou of Shang, Jizi became a slave, and Bigan remonstrated with the tyrant until his heart was cut out. Confucius said, “The Yin dynasty had three men of benevolence!”

Liuxia Hui, serving as a minister of justice, was dismissed multiple times. Someone said, “Can you not leave Lu?” Liuxia Hui replied, “If I serve others with integrity, where could I go without being dismissed? If I abandon integrity, why must I leave my homeland?”

Duke Jing of Qi, speaking of the honors due to Confucius, said, “I cannot treat him as the Duke of Lu treated the Ji family. I can only offer him a status below the Ji but above the Meng.” He added, “I am old and useless.” Confucius then left Qi.

When the state of Qi sent female musicians to Lu, Ji Huanzi accepted them and neglected court duties for three days. Confucius departed.

Jieyu the Madman of Chu passed by Confucius’ carriage, singing:
“O Phoenix, Phoenix! How your virtue has declined!
The past cannot be undone; the future may yet be mended.
Enough! Enough! Those in power today court peril!”
Confucius alighted to speak with him, but Jieyu hurried away.

Changju and Jieni were plowing together. Confucius sent Zilu to ask for directions to a ferry. Changju asked, “Who is the man holding the reins?” Zilu said, “Confucius of Lu.” Changju replied, “Then he already knows the way.” Jieni asked Zilu, “Who are you?” Zilu answered, “Zhong You, a disciple of Confucius.” Jieni said, “The world is in chaos, like a raging flood—who can change it? Better follow those who flee the world than those who flee tyrants!” He resumed plowing. Confucius sighed, “One cannot herd with birds and beasts. If the Way prevailed, I would not need to reform the world.”

Zilu, lagging behind Confucius, met an old man carrying a basket. He asked, “Have you seen my Master?” The old man scoffed, “One who toils not with limbs nor knows crops—what ‘Master’ is this?” He invited Zilu home, fed him, and introduced his sons. Confucius said, “A recluse!” and sent Zilu back, but the man had left. Zilu reflected, “To reject office violates duty. How can one abandon the bond between ruler and subject? A gentleman serves to uphold the Way. That it cannot prevail—I already know.”

Those who withdrew from the world included Bo Yi, Shu Qi, Yu Zhong, Yi Yi, Zhu Zhang, Liuxia Hui, and Shao Lian. Confucius said:
“Bo Yi and Shu Qi neither lowered their aspirations nor disgraced their status.
Liuxia Hui and Shao Lian compromised their ideals but acted with propriety.
Yu Zhong and Yi Yi hid in seclusion, spoke boldly, and preserved their purity.
As for me, I am different: there is nothing I must do, nothing I must not.”

The court musicians dispersed:
Grand Master Zhi went to Qi; Second Meal Musician Gan to Chu;
Third Meal Musician Liao to Cai; Fourth Meal Musician Que to Qin;
Drummer Fangshu to the Yellow River; Tambourine Master Wu to Han;
Assistant Master Yang and Stone-Chime Master Xiang to the coast.

The Duke of Zhou advised the Duke of Lu:
“A wise ruler does not alienate his kin;
He avoids resentment among ministers by employing them justly;
He does not abandon old allies without grave cause;
He does not demand perfection from any person.”

The eight renowned scholars of Zhou:
Bo Da, Bo Kuo, Bo Tu, Zhong Hu, Shu Ye, Shu Xia, Ji Sui, and Ji Gua.