The philosopher Tsang said, "I have heard this from our Master,
曾子曰:“吾闻诸夫子,
The filial piety of Mang Chwang, in other matters, was what other men are competent to,
孟庄子之孝也,其他可能也,
but, as seen in his not changing the ministers of his father,
其不改父之臣
nor his father's mode of government, it is difficult to be attained to."
与父之政,是难能也。”
The chief of the Mang family having appointed Yang Fu to be chief criminal judge,
孟氏使阳肤为士师,
the latter consulted the philosopher Tsang. "The rulers have failed in their duties,
问于曾子。曾子曰:“上失其道,
and the people consequently have been disorganized for a long time.
民散久矣。
When you have found out the truth of any accusation, be grieved for and pity them,
如得其情,则哀矜
and do not feel joy at your own ability." Tsze-kung said,
而勿喜!”子贡曰:
"Chau's wickedness was not so great as that name implies.
“纣之不善,不如是之甚也。
Therefore, the superior man hates to dwell in a low-lying situation,
是以君子恶居下流,
where all the evil of the world will flow in upon him."
天下之恶皆归焉。”
Tsze-kung said, "The faults of the superior man are like the eclipses of the sun and moon.
子贡曰:“君子之过也,如日月之食焉。
He has his faults, and all men see them; he changes again, and all men look up to him."
过也,人皆见之;更也,人皆仰之。”
Kung-sun Ch'ao of Wei asked Tszekung, saying. "From whom did Chung-ni get his learning?"
卫公孙朝问于子贡曰:“仲尼焉学?”