Chen Chengzi (also known as Chen Heng) assassinated Duke Jian of Qi. Upon hearing this, Confucius bathed, dressed in formal court attire, and went to court to report to Duke Ai of Lu: “Chen Heng has murdered his ruler. I request that you launch a punitive expedition against him.”Duke Ai replied, “Report this to…
The Master said, “If a person speaks without any sense of shame, it will be difficult for him to carry out what he says.”
Confucius remarked that Duke Ling of Wei was “without the Way (Dao)” (i.e., an unprincipled ruler). Ji Kangzi asked, “If that’s the case, why hasn’t he lost his state?”Confucius replied, “Zhongshu Yu handles diplomatic guests, Zhu Tuo manages ancestral temple rituals, and Wangsun Jia oversees the military. With such capable ministers fulfilling their roles,…
Gongshu Wenzi recommended his own retainer, Dafu Zhuan, to the ruler, and both were promoted together to serve as high ministers at court. When Confucius heard of this, he said, “He truly deserves the posthumous title ‘Wen’!”
Zilu said, “Duke Huan of Qi killed Prince Jiu; Shao Hu died for him, but Guan Zhong did not.” He added, “Was he not humane?”The Master replied, “It was through Guan Zhong’s efforts that Duke Huan convened the feudal lords nine times without resorting to war chariots. Wasn’t he humane! Wasn’t he humane!”
The Master said, “Duke Wen of Jin was crafty but not upright; Duke Huan of Qi was upright but not crafty.”
The Master said, “Zang Wuzhong used his fief of Fang to demand that the ruler of Lu appoint his descendants as successors. Even if someone claims he was not coercing his lord, I do not believe it.”
Confucius asked Gongming Jia about Gongshu Wenzi, saying, “Is it true that your master never speaks, never laughs, and never takes anything?”Gongming Jia replied, “The person who told you that exaggerated. In fact, my master speaks only when the time is right – so people do not dislike his words; he laughs only when…