Page:The sayings of Confucius; a new translation of the greater part of the Confucian analects (IA sayingsofconfuci00confiala).pdf/126

 The eccentric Chieh Yü of the Ch'u State passed Confucius' carriage, singing: O phœnix! O phœnix! How has thy virtue fallen! The past need no longer be a subject of reproof, but against the future it is still possible to provide. Desist, desist! Great is the danger of those who now engage in government.—Confucius alighted, wishing to speak with him, but Chieh Yü hastened rapidly away, and he was unable to get speech of him.

Ch'ang Chü and Chieh Ni a were working together in the fields when Confucius passed by and sent Tzǔ Lu to ascertain from them the whereabouts of the ford. Ch'ang Chü asked: Who is that man holding the reins?—That is Confucius, replied Tzǔ Lu.—Is it Confucius of the Lu State?—Yes.—Then surely he is the man to know where the ford is. —Tzǔ Lu then questioned Chieh Ni. Chieh Ni said: Who are you, Sir?—I am Chung Yu.—Are you a disciple of Confucius of the Lu State?—He replied: I am.—The whole Empire, said Chieh Ni, is rushing headlong to destruction, and who is there that will reform it? As for you, instead of following a