5.8
Meng Wu asked whether Zilu was benevolent. The Master said, “I do not know.”
On his repeating the question the Master said, “In a country of a thousand war-chariots You could be trusted to carry out the recruiting. But whether he is benevolent, I do not know.”
“What about Qiu?” The Master said, “In a city of a thousand families or a baronial family with a hundred chariots he might do well as Warden. But whether he is benevolent, I do not know.”
“What about Chi?” The Master said, “Girt with his sash. standing in his place at Court he might well be charged to converse with strangers and guests. But whether he is benevolent, I do not know.”
孟武伯問：「子路仁乎？」子曰：「不知也。」又問。子曰：「由也，千乘之國，可使治其賦也，不知其仁也。」「求也何如？」子曰：「求也，千室之邑，百乘之家，可使為之宰也，不知其仁也。」「赤也何如？」子曰：「赤也，束帶立於朝，可使與賓客言也，不知其仁也。」
Notes
Meng Wubo, a high-ranking minister of Lu and son of Confucius’ disciple Meng Yizi, inquired three times about disciples’ benevolence. His questions likely aimed to assess their talents for recruiting into government service.
Confucius highlighted three disciples’ distinct strengths:
- Zilu (Zhongyou): Valor and integrity, skilled in military affairs and administration;
- Ran Qiu (Ranyou): Expertise in civil governance and regional administration;
- Gongxi Chi (Zihua): Humility and mastery of diplomatic rites.
Yet Confucius, holding an exceptionally high standard for “benevolence,” asserted that mere talent alone could not constitute true benevolence. Thus, he repeatedly replied, “I do not know him to be benevolent” — preserving his disciples’ dignity while subtly rejecting Meng Wubo’s utilitarian recruitment.
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