Page 205 - 《论语》（四）中·英对照版

微
子
第
十
八

reply, to which the other rejoined, “He knows the
ford.” Tsze-lu then inquired of Chieh-ni, who said
to him, “Who are you, sir?” He answered, “I am
Chung Yu.” “Are you not the disciple of K'ung Ch'iu
of Lu?” asked the other. “I am,” replied he, and then
Chieh-ni said to him, “Disorder, like a swelling flood,
spreads over the whole empire, and who is he that
will change its state for you? Than follow one who
merely withdraws from this one and that one, had you
not better follow those who have withdrawn from the
world altogether?” With this he fell to covering up the
seed, and proceeded with his work, without stopping.
Tsze-lu went and reported their remarks, when the
Master observed with a sigh, “It is impossible to
associate with birds and beasts, as if they were the
same with us. If I associate not with these people, —
with mankind, with whom shall I associate? If right
principles prevailed through the empire, there would
be no use for me to change its state.”

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