Confucius said, “If the Way isn’t put into practice, I’ll just head out to sea on a small raft. I bet Zilu would go with me.”
Zilu was happy to hear this.
Confucius said, “Zilu loves daring more than I do, but he lacks judgment.”
Exile
6.9
The Jisun Family asked Min Ziqian to serve as steward of their family fortress.
Min Ziqian replied to the messenger, “Do your best to decline the offer politely. If they ask again, I’ll exile myself to the north of the River Wen.”
9.14
Confucius wanted to go and live with some barbarian tribe. Someone said, “But they’re so uncouth? How could you stand it?”
Confucius replied, “If a noble person lives among them, how could they be uncouth?”
18.2
The magistrate Liuxia Hui was fired three times.
People asked him, “Why don’t you go to another state?”
Liuxia Hui replied, “If I serve in a straight way, where can I go where the same thing won’t happen to me? If I wanted to go crooked, why would I bother to leave the land of my parents?”
18.4
The men of Qi made a present of singing-and-dancing girls. Ji Huanzi accepted them, and for three days, he didn’t hold court.
18.6
Chang Ju and Jie Ni were yoked together, plowing the fields. Confucius, who was passing by, sent Zilu to ask where the river crossing was.
Chang Ju asked, “Who’s that holding the carriage reigns?”
“Confucius,” replied Zilu.
“Confucius from Lu?”
“Yes.”
“Then he already knows where the river crossing is.”
Zilu then asked Jie Ni the same question.
“And who are you?” asked Jie Ni.
“Zilu.”
“Zilu, the student of Confucius from Lu?”
“I am.”
“The water keeps moving forward, all over the world. Who can change it? Why do you bother following someone who keeps running from one ruler to another? Wouldn’t it be better to follow someone who’s given up this world altogether?”
The two of them went back to their work.
Zilu reported this conversation to Confucius, who furrowed his brow and said, “I can’t flock with birds and beasts! Who am I supposed to keep company with, if not other human beings? If the Way prevailed in the world, I wouldn’t have to reform it!”
18.9
Music Master Zhi left for Qi. Gan, the master of the second course, went to Chu. Liao, master of the third course, left for Cai. Master of the fourth course, Que, went to Qin.
The drummer, Fangshu, crossed the Yellow River valley and the hand drum player, Wu, crossed the Han River Valley. The Master’s assistant, Yang, and Xiang, who played the stone chimes, took to the sea.