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PT. I. SECT. IV. THE WRITINGS OF KWANG-3ZE.
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5. Yen Ho1, being about to undertake the office of Teacher of the eldest son of duke Ling of Wei, consulted Kü Po-yü2. Here,' said he, 'is this (young) man, whose natural disposition is as bad as it could be. If I allow him to proceed in a bad way, it will be at the peril of our state; if I insist on his proceeding in a right way, it will be at the peril of my own person. His wisdom is just sufficient to know the errors of other men, but he does not know how he errs himself. What am I to do in such a case?' Kü Po-yü replied, 'Good indeed is your question! Be on your guard; be careful; see that you keep yourself correct! Your best plan will be, with your person to seek association with him, and with your mind to try to be in harmony with him; and yet there are dangers connected with both of these things. While seeking to keep near to him, do not enter into his pursuits; while cultivating a harmony of mind with him, do not show how superior you are to him. If in your personal association you enter into his pursuits, you will fall with him and be ruined, you will tumble down with a crash. If in maintaining a harmony with his mind, you show how different you are from him, he will think you do so for the reputation and the name, and regard you as a creature of evil omen 3. If you find him to be a mere boy, be you with him as another boy; if you find him one of those who will not have their ground marked out in the ordinary way, do you humour
1 A member of the Yen family of Lû. We shall meet with him again in Books XIX, XXVIII, and XXXII.
2 A minister of Wei; a friend and favourite of Confucius. 3 Compare in the Kung Yung, ii, ch. 24.
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