A Gentleman in Public Service
Text
English translation
Original Chinese text
周霄问曰:“古之君子仕乎?”
English translation
Zhou Xiao asked, “Did gentlemen of antiquity take office?”
Original Chinese text
孟子曰:“仕。传曰:‘孔子三月无君,则皇皇如也。出疆必载质。’公明仪曰:‘古之人三月无君则吊。’”
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
“三月无君则吊,不以急乎?”
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
曰:“士之失位也,犹诸侯之失国家也。《礼》曰:‘诸侯耕助,以供粢盛。夫人蚕缫,以为衣服。牺牲不成,粢盛不洁,衣服不备,不敢以祭。惟士无田,则亦不祭。’牲杀器皿衣服不备,不敢以祭,则不敢以宴,亦不足吊乎?”
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
“出疆必载质,何也?”
English translation
The questioner asked, “Why must one carry a gift of introduction when crossing a state border?”
Original Chinese text
曰:“士之仕也,犹农夫之耕也。农夫岂为出疆舍其耒耜哉?”
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
曰:“晋国亦仕国也,未尝闻仕如此其急。仕如此其急也,君子之难仕,何也?”
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
曰:“丈夫生而愿为之有室,女子生而愿为之有家。父母之心,人皆有之。不待父母之命、媒妁之言,钻穴隙相窥,逾墙相从,则父母、国人皆贱之。古之人未尝不欲仕也,又恶不由其道。不由其道而往者,与钻穴隙之类也。”
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.”