s rose--even for the young,--or, if he was passing
them, he quickened his step.

10. Yen Yuean heaved a sigh, and said, As I look up it grows higher,
deeper as I dig! I catch sight of it ahead, and on a sudden it is
behind me! The Master leads men on, deftly bit by bit. He widens me
with culture, he binds me with courtesy. If I wished to stop I could
not until my strength were spent. What seems the mark stands near; but
though I long to reach it, I find no way.

11. When the Master was very ill, Tzu-lu made the disciples act as
ministers.

During a better spell the Master said, Yu has long been feigning.
This show of ministers, when I have no ministers, whom will it take
in? Will Heaven be taken in? And is it not better to die in the arms
of my two-three boys than to die in the arms of ministers? And, if I
miss a big burial, shall I die by the roadside?

12. Tzu-kung said, If I had here a fair piece of jade, should I hide
it away in a case, or seek a good price and sell it?

Sell it, sell it! said the Master. I tarry for my price.

13. The Master wished to dwell among the nine tribes.[85]

[Footnote 85: In the east of Shantung.]

One said, They are low; how could ye?

The Master said, Wherever a gentleman lives, will there be anything
low?

14. The Master said. After I came back from Wei to Lu the music was
set straight and each song found its place.

15. The Master said, To serve dukes and ministers abroad and father
and brothers at home; in matters of mourning not to dare to be slack;
and to be no thrall to wine: to which of these have I won?

16. As he stood by a stream, the Master said, Hasting away like this,
day and night, without stop!

17. The Master said, I have seen no one that loves mind as he loves
looks.

18. The Master said, In making a mound, if I stop when one more basket
would finish it, I stop. When flattening ground, if, after
overturning one basket, I go on, I go ahead.

19. The Master said, Never listless when spoken to, such was Hui.[86]

20. Speaking of Yen Yuean, the Master said, The pity of it! I saw him
go on, but I never saw him stop!

21. The Master said, Some sprouts do not blossom, some blossoms bear
no fruit!

22. The Master said, Awe is due to youth. May not to-morrow be bright
as to-day? To men of forty or fifty, who are still unknown, no awe is
due.

23. The Master said, Who would not give ear to a downright word? But
to mend is better. Who would not be pleased