3.6
The head of the Ji family was going to make the offerings on Mount Tai.
Confucius said to Ran Qiu, “Cannot you save him from this?” Ran Qiu replied, “I cannot.”
Confucius said, “Alas, we can hardly suppose Mount Tai to be ignorant of matters that even Lin Fang inquires into!”
季氏旅於泰山。子謂冉有曰：「女弗能救與？」對曰：「不能。」子曰：「嗚呼！曾謂泰山，不如林放乎？」
Notes
Jisun refers to the Jisun Clan (one of the “Three Huan Clans”), a minister of Lu who held actual power and frequently engaged in ritual usurpation. Ji intended to perform grand sacrifices at Mount Tai–a sacred peak traditionally reserved for imperial worship. As a mere minister, his act constituted grave usurpation of rites, directly challenging the Son of Heaven’s (Emperor) authority.
Ran You, Confucius’ disciple serving as Ji’s steward (with significant influence), was entrusted by Confucius to dissuade Ji.
Whether due to political pressure or self-serving prudence, Ran You failed to prevent the rites. Confucius clearly deemed this a dereliction of duty.
Finally, Confucius rebuked with irony:
“Even Lin Fang–a commoner–understands the essence of ritual. Would the spirit of Mount Tai truly covet offerings and accept sacrilegious rites?”
Summary:
Through this dialogue from the Analects, Confucius conveyed three profound messages:
- Political Critique: Condemnation of power usurpation to uphold ritual order;
- Moral Accountability: Demanding disciples in office to advise courageously;
- Philosophical Irony: True divinity rejects ritually improper sacrifices — for ritual’s essence lies in reverence and righteousness, not ceremony or power.
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