kingdom, can that be called love?

It cannot, said Confucius.

To love office, and miss the hour again and again, can that be called
wisdom?

It cannot, said Confucius.

The days and months go by; the years do not wait for us.

True, said Confucius; I must take office.

2. The Master said, Men are near to each other by nature; the lives
they lead sunder them.

3. The Master said, Only the wisest and stupidest of men never change.

4. As the Master came to Wu-ch'eng[152] he heard sounds of lute and
song.

Why use an ox-knife to kill a fowl? said the Master, with a pleased
smile.

Tzu-yu answered, Master, once I heard you say, A gentleman that has
learnt the Way loves men; small folk that have learnt the Way are easy
to rule.

[Footnote 151: The all-powerful, unscrupulous minister of the Chi.]

[Footnote 152: A very small town, of which the disciple Tzu-yu was
governor.]

My two-three boys, said the Master, what Yen[153] says is true. I
spake before in play.

5. Kung-shan Fu-jao[154] held Pi in rebellion. He called the Master,
who wished to go.

Tzu-lu said in displeasure. This cannot be! why must ye go to
Kung-shan?

The Master said, He calls me, and would that be all? Could I not make
an Eastern Chou[155] of him that uses me?

6. Tzu-chang asked Confucius what is love.

Confucius said, Love is to mete out five things to all below heaven.

May I ask what they are?

Modesty and bounty, said Confucius, truth, earnestness and kindness.
Modesty escapes insult: bounty wins the many; truth gains men's trust;
earnestness brings success; and kindness is enough to make men work.

7. Pi Hsi called the Master, who wished to go.

Tzu-lu said, Master, I heard you say once, To men whose own life is
evil, no gentleman will go. Pi Hsi holds Chung-mou in rebellion; how
could ye go to him, Sir?

Yes, I said so, answered the Master. But is not a thing called hard
that cannot be ground thin; white, if steeping will not turn it black?
And am I a gourd? Can I hang without eating?

[Footnote 153: Tzu-yu.]

[Footnote 154: Steward of the Chi, and a confederate of Yang Huo.]

[Footnote 155: A kingdom in the east to match Chou in the west, the
home of Kings Wen and Wu.]

8. The Master said, Hast thou heard the six words, Yu,[156] and the
six they sink into?

He answered. No.

Sit down, and I shall tell thee. The thirst for love, without love of
learning, sinks into simpleness. Love of knowledge, without lov