Bixi summoned Confucius, and the Master wanted to go. Zilu was displeased and said, “I have heard you say in the past, Master, ‘A gentleman does not enter the court of one who is personally engaged in evil.’ Now Bixi has rebelled at Zhongmou; if you go to him, what about your previous words?”
The Master said, “Yes, I did say that. But is it not said that what is truly hard cannot be ground thin? Is it not said that what is truly white cannot be stained black? Am I a bitter gourd? How can I be hung up and not eaten?”
Note
Bi Xi was a local official in Zhongmu of the State of Jin in the late Spring and Autumn period. He rebelled against Zhao Jianzi, the then de facto ruler of Jin. At that time, Confucius was traveling among various states, having failed to find a ruler who would adopt his political ideas, and he was anxious to put his teachings into practice. Zilu, fearing that his master would be implicated in the rebellion or be seen as colluding with the rebels, cited Confucius’s own previous words to dissuade him. Although Confucius verbally expressed a desire to go, he ultimately did not. He knew that a man like Bi Xi was unlikely to truly reform and that going would not help realize his ideals. His expressed willingness to go was more a statement of his eagerness to be active and productive rather than a genuine intention to assist a rebel.
This dialogue vividly demonstrates the profound tension between Confucius’ adherence to moral principles and his eager desire to realize his political ambitions, as well as his high degree of moral self-confidence. Zilu countered him using Confucius’ own past teachings, representing the conventional worldly understanding of “self-preservation” and “keeping oneself clean.” Confucius’ reply, however, reflects a more active and resilient Confucian spirit of engaging with the world:
- Moral Fortitude: “Cannot be ground thin, cannot be stained black” demonstrates Confucius’ absolute confidence in his own moral cultivation. He believed that a true gentleman possesses a powerful inner strength; even when placed in a corrupt political environment, he will not be tainted, but may instead emerge unstained from the mud.
- Passion for Saving the World: “Am I a bitter gourd?” expresses Confucius’ urgent desire to be employed by society rather than being a useless object. He was unwilling to completely escape social responsibilities like the hermits just to maintain personal purity. For the sake of all people, he was willing to find opportunities to promote the “Great Way” in the treacherous cracks of political reality. This tragic heroism of “doing what one knows is impossible” is precisely the embodiment of Confucius’ great character.
Further Reading
When the Way prevails in the world, show yourself; when it does not, hide yourself.
— The Analects, Chapter 8.13
— The Analects, Chapter 17.5
Changju and Jieni were plowing together… The Master sighed and said, “One cannot associate with birds and beasts. If I do not associate with these people, with whom should I associate? If the Way prevailed in the world, I would not be trying to change it.”
— The Analects, Chapter 18.6
These chapters collectively portray Confucius’ political dilemmas and his passion for saving the world when “the Way does not prevail.” Whether facing the summons of rebellious ministers (Gongshan Furao, Bixi) or the mockery of hermits, Confucius did not choose to completely withdraw from the world like the hermits. Although “show yourself when the Way prevails, hide yourself when it does not” is a common principle, Confucius often chose to “do what one knows is impossible” in reality. He firmly believed in his own moral fortitude of “cannot be ground thin, cannot be stained black,” and longed to use every possible opportunity (even the power of a rebel) to promote the Great Way and save the people. This contradiction of “being unable to hide, yet unwilling to serve” is precisely the tragic yet heroic embodiment of the Confucian active engagement in the world and taking the responsibility for all under heaven.
佛肸召，子欲往。子路曰：「昔者由也聞諸夫子曰：『親於其身為不善者，君子不入也。』佛肸以中牟畔，子之往也，如之何！」子曰：「然。有是言也。不曰堅乎，磨而不磷；不曰白乎，涅而不緇。吾豈匏瓜也哉？焉能繫而不食？」
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