A Worthy Person Cannot Be Summoned Without Proper Courtesy

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English translation

Original Chinese text

English translation

Wan Zhang asked, “May I ask the principle behind not seeking an audience with a feudal lord?”

Original Chinese text

English translation

Mencius said, “Those in the city are called market subjects, and those in the countryside are called rustic subjects; both are commoners. A commoner who has not formally presented a pledge and become a minister should not presume to seek an audience with a lord. That is proper ritual.”

Original Chinese text

English translation

Wan Zhang asked, “A commoner goes when summoned for labor, yet will not go when a ruler summons him for an audience. Why?” Mencius replied, “Going to perform labor is an obligation; going to an audience is not. Besides, why does the ruler wish to see him?”

Original Chinese text

English translation

Wan Zhang said, “Because he is learned and worthy.” Mencius replied, “If it is because he is learned, even the Son of Heaven does not summon his teacher, much less a feudal lord. If it is because he is worthy, I have never heard of someone who truly wishes to meet a worthy person summoning him like a subordinate.”

Original Chinese text

English translation

Duke Mu of Lu repeatedly visited Zisi and asked, “The ancients said that a state with a thousand chariots should befriend scholars. What do you think?” Zisi was displeased: “The ancients spoke of serving them; did they say befriending them?”

Original Chinese text

English translation

Was Zisi not displeased because he thought: “In rank, you are the ruler and I your subject—how could I presume to be your friend? In virtue, you should serve me; how could you be my friend?” If a ruler of a thousand-chariot state cannot obtain a worthy person’s friendship, how much less can he summon him?

Original Chinese text

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When Duke Jing of Qi went hunting, he summoned a forest keeper with the banner used for a senior minister. The keeper did not come, and the duke was about to kill him.

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“A principled person never forgets that he may end up dead in a ravine; a brave person never forgets that he may lose his head.” What did Confucius approve of here? He approved that the man did not go when summoned improperly.”

Original Chinese text

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Wan Zhang asked, “What token should be used to summon a forest keeper?” Mencius replied, “A leather cap. A pennant is used for commoners, a banner for gentlemen, and a tall standard for senior ministers.”

Original Chinese text

English translation

If a forest keeper is summoned by the manner proper to a senior minister, he would rather die than go. If a commoner is summoned by the manner proper to a gentleman, how could he go? How much less should a worthy person be summoned in the manner used for an unworthy one?

Original Chinese text

English translation

To wish to meet a worthy person without following the proper way is like wishing him to enter while shutting the door. Righteousness is the road and ritual is the gate; only a gentleman can travel this road and pass through this gate.

Original Chinese text

English translation

The Book of Songs says, “The great road is level as a whetstone and straight as an arrow; it is the path gentlemen tread and the common people look to.”

Original Chinese text

English translation

Wan Zhang asked, “Confucius said, ‘When summoned by the ruler, I set out without waiting for the carriage to be harnessed.’ Was Confucius then in the wrong?” Mencius replied, “Confucius held office at the time; he was summoned in his official capacity.”

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