A Gentleman in Public Service

Contents

Text

English translation

Original Chinese text

English translation

Zhou Xiao asked, “Did gentlemen of antiquity take office?”

Original Chinese text

English translation

Mencius replied, “They did. The Tradition says, ‘When Confucius had no ruler to serve for three months, he became anxious; whenever he crossed a state border, he carried his ceremonial gift.’ Gong Mingyi said, ‘In antiquity, when someone had no ruler to serve for three months, people went to console him.’”

Original Chinese text

English translation

The questioner asked, “To console someone after only three months without a ruler to serve—is that not rather impatient?”

Original Chinese text

English translation

Mencius replied, “A scholar losing his position is like a feudal lord losing his state. The Rites say, ‘A ruler ploughs with the people’s assistance to provide grain for sacrifice; his wife raises silkworms and unwinds their cocoons to make the ritual garments. If the sacrificial animals are unsuitable, the grain unclean, or the garments incomplete, he does not dare perform the sacrifice. A scholar without land likewise does not sacrifice.’ If the animals, vessels, and garments are not ready, one does not dare sacrifice or hold a feast. Is that not enough reason for people to console him?”

Original Chinese text

English translation

The questioner asked, “Why must one carry a gift of introduction when crossing a state border?”

Original Chinese text

English translation

Mencius replied, “A scholar’s service in office is like a farmer’s cultivation. Would a farmer leave his plough and hoe behind simply because he crossed a state border?”

Original Chinese text

English translation

The questioner asked, “Jin is also a state where one may serve, yet I have never heard of anyone being so urgent about office. If the desire for office is so urgent, why are gentlemen so reluctant to enter service?”

Original Chinese text

English translation

Mencius replied, “When a boy is born, his parents hope he will one day have a wife; when a girl is born, they hope she will one day have a household. This is the feeling of parents everywhere. But if the young do not wait for their parents’ instructions and a matchmaker’s arrangements, and instead spy through holes or climb over walls to meet, their parents and the people of the country will despise them. The ancients did wish to serve in office; what they rejected was seeking it by improper means. To pursue office without following the proper Way is like sneaking through holes and over walls.”

Feedback