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Analects 18:6. Ch'ang-chu and Chieh-ni
were cultivating their fields together. Confucius was passing that way
and told Tzu-lu to ask them where the river could be forded. Ch'ang-chu
said, "Who is the one holding the reins in the carriage?"
Tzu-lu said, "It is K'ung Ch'iu (Confucius)." "Is he the
K'ung Ch'iu of Lu?" "Yes." "Then he already knows
where the river can be forded!" Tzu-lu asked Chieh-ni. Chieh-ni
said, "Who are you, sir?" Tzu-lu replied, "I am Chung-yu
(name of Tzu-lu)." "Are you a follower of K'ung Ch'iu of
Lu?" "Yes." Chieh-ni said, "The whole world is swept
as though by a torrential flood. Who can change it? As for you, instead
of following one who flees from this man or that man, is it not better
to follow those who flee the world together?" And with that he went
on covering the seed without stopping. Tzu-lu went to Confucius and told
him about their conversation. Confucius said ruefully, "One cannot
herd with birds and beasts. If I do not associate with mankind, with
whom shall I associate? If the Way prevailed in the world, there would
be no need for me to change it."
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