Some persons in Lu were taking measures in regard to the Long Treasury House.  Min Tsz-k’ien observed, “How if it were repaired on the old lines?” The Master upon this remarked, “This fellow is not a talker, but when he does speak he is bound to hit the mark!”

“There is Yu’s harpsichord,” exclaimed the Master—­“what is it doing at my door?” On seeing, however, some disrespect shown to him by the other disciples, he added, “Yu has got as far as the top of the hall; only he has not yet entered the house.”

Tsz-kung asked which was the worthier of the two—­Tsz-chang or Tsz-hia.  “The former,” answered the Master, “goes beyond the mark; the latter falls short of it.”

“So then Tsz-chang is the better of the two, is he?” said he.

“To go too far,” he replied, “is about the same as to fall short.”

The Chief of the Ki family was a wealthier man than the Duke of Chow had been, and yet Yen Yu gathered and hoarded for him, increasing his wealth more and more.

“He is no follower of mine,” said the Master.  “It would serve him right, my children, to sound the drum, and set upon him.”

Characteristics of four disciples:—­Tsz-kau was simple-minded; Tsang Si, a dullard; Tsz-chang, full of airs; Tsz-lu, rough.

“As to Hwui,” said the Master, “he comes near to perfection, while frequently in great want.  Tsz-kung does not submit to the appointments of Heaven; and yet his goods are increased;—­he is often successful in his calculations.”

Tsz-chang wanted to know some marks of the naturally Good Man.

“He does not walk in others’ footprints,” said the Master; “yet he does not get beyond the hall into the house.”

Once the Master said, “Because we allow that a man’s words have something genuine in them, are they necessarily those of a superior man? or words carrying only an outward semblance and show of gravity?”

Tsz-lu put a question about the practice of precepts one has heard.  The Master’s reply was, “In a case where there is a father or elder brother still left with you, how should you practise all you hear?”

When, however, the same question was put to him by Yen Yu, his reply was, “Yes; do so.”

Kung-si Hwa animadverted upon this to the Master.  “Tsz-lu asked you, sir,” said he, “about the practice of what one has learnt, and you said, ‘There may be a father or elder brother still alive’; but when Yen Yu asked the same question, you answered, ‘Yes, do so.’  I am at a loss to understand you, and venture to ask what you meant.”

The Master replied, “Yen Yu backs out of his duties; therefore I push him on.  Tsz-lu has forwardness enough for them both; therefore I hold him back.”

On the occasion of that time of fear in K’wang, Yen Yuen having fallen behind, the Master said to him (afterwards), “I took it for granted you were a dead man.”  “How should I dare to die,” said he, “while you, sir, still lived?”