When a gentleman undertakes public work, he will
carry out the duties proper to it; and he knows beforehand that right
principles may not win their way."
Among those who have retired from public life have been Peh-I and
Shuh-Ts'i, Yu-chung, I-yih, Chu-chang, Hwui of Liuhia, and Shau-lien.
"Of these," said the Master, "Peh-I and Shuh-Ts'i may be characterized,
I should say, as men who never declined from their high resolve nor
soiled themselves by aught of disgrace.
"Of Hwui of Liu-hia and Shau-lien, if one may say that they did decline
from high resolve, and that they did bring disgrace upon themselves, yet
their words were consonant with established principles, and their action
consonant with men's thoughts and wishes; and this is all that may be
said of them.
"Of Yu-chung and I-yih, if it be said that when they retired into
privacy they let loose their tongues, yet in their aim at personal
purity of life they succeeded, and their defection was also successful
in its influence.
"My own rule is different from any adopted by these: I will take no
liberties, I will have no curtailing of my liberty."
The chief music-master went off to Ts'i. Kan, the conductor of the music
at the second repast, went over to Ts'u. Liau, conductor at the third
repast, went over to Ts'ai. And Kiueh, who conducted at the fourth, went
to Ts'in.
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