Gongyi Qian was a native of the state of Lu and a close friend of Zisi. Duke Mu of Lu, acting through Zisi, sent an invitation to Gongyi Qian, intending to appoint him as the prime minister.
Zisi said to the Duke, “There is a reason why Master Gongyi does not come. If you, my lord, were to await a worthy minister with the eagerness of one who is starving and thirsty, and if you were to truly adopt and implement his counsel, then even if had only coarse vegetables and water to eat and drink, I, Ji, would be willing to serve at your side. However, if you merely use high office and generous salaries as bait, without a sincere and trustworthy heart, then Master Gongyi Qian, being as wise as he is in the state of Lu, will surely see through it. Otherwise, he would never step across the threshold of your court. Moreover, though I, your servant, am untalented, I cannot bring myself to hold a fishing rod for you to angle for scholars, thereby insulting the integrity of those who uphold their moral principles.” Ultimately, Gongyi Qian never yielded to serve in office for the rest of his life.
Note
Duke Mu of Lu wanted Gongyi Qian as prime minister via Zisi. Zisi declined to lure the scholar with titles, saying sincere respect instead of material bait was required. Gongyi Qian upheld his integrity and refused officialdom all his life.
Gongyi Qian (公仪潜):
A scholar of the state of Lu renowned for his uncompromising moral integrity. He represents the archetype of the scholar who refuses to be commodified or manipulated by political power, insisting on genuine respect and intellectual autonomy over material rewards.
Zisi (子思 / Kong Ji):
The grandson of Confucius and a pivotal figure in the transmission of Confucian thought. In this passage, Zisi demonstrates remarkable ethical courage by refusing to act as a political broker. He prioritizes the dignity of his friend and the integrity of the scholarly class over his own political standing and the Duke’s desires.
The Metaphor of the Fishing Rod:
Zisi’s refusal to “hold the fishing rod” is a brilliant and biting metaphor. It criticizes the transactional nature of political recruitment, where rulers treat scholars as fish to be caught with the bait of wealth and titles. Zisi asserts that true scholars cannot be lured; they must be attracted by the ruler’s genuine sincerity and commitment to their ideas.
Sincerity and Trustworthiness:
Zisi’s argument highlights a core Confucian political philosophy: the relationship between a ruler and a minister must be founded on mutual trust and sincerity, not merely on contractual rewards. Without this moral foundation, any political alliance is inherently corrupt and doomed to fail.
Hunger and Thirst for Talent:
This phrase describes the ideal attitude of a ruler seeking counsel. It implies a desperate, genuine need for wisdom to govern well, contrasting sharply with the arrogant, patronizing attitude of merely “buying” talent with high salaries.
公仪潜者，鲁人也，与子思为友。穆公因子思而致命，欲以为相。子思曰：“公仪子此所以不至也。君若饥渴待贤，纳用其谋，虽蔬食饮水，伋亦愿在下风。如以高官厚禄为钓饵，而无信用之心，公仪子智若鲁者，可也，不尔，则不逾君之庭。且臣不佞，又不能为君操竿下钓，以伤守节之士。”潜竟终身不屈。
Leave a Reply