Page:Gems of Chinese literature (1922).djvu/242

 

[Graduated as chin shih in 1547, and distinguished himself as a military commander and as a writer.] 

RETAINER was complaining to Pŏ Tzŭ that no one in the district knew how to get on.

“You gentlemen,” said he, “are like square handles which you would thrust into the round sockets of your generation. Consequently, there is not one of you which fits.”

“You speak truth,” replied Pŏ Tzŭ; “kindly explain how this is so.”

“There are five reasons,” said the retainer, “why you are at loggerheads with the age, as follows:―

“(1) The path to popularity lies straight before you, but you will not follow it.

“(2) Other men’s tongues reach the soft places in the hearts of their superiors, but your tongues are too short.

“(3) Others eschew fur robes, and approach with bent backs as if their very clothes were too heavy for them; but you remain as stiff-necked as planks.

“(4) Others respond even before they are called, and seek to anticipate the wishes of their superiors; whose enemies, were they the saints above, would not escape abuse; whose friends, were they highwaymen and thieves, would be larded over with praise. But you―you stick at facts, and express opinions adverse to those of your superiors whom it is your special interest to conciliate.

“(5) Others make for gain as though bent upon shooting a pheasant; watching in secret and letting fly with care, so that