折疑論 5.72

5.72

He was endangered by the men of Kuang. (The Master traveled to Kuang, and the men of Song surrounded him several layers deep. The Master continued to play the zither without stopping. Zilu entered to see him and said, "Why is the Master enjoying himself? The men of Song wish to kill the Master!" The Master pushed aside his zither and said to Zilu, "Come, You, let me tell you. I have long shunned destitution, yet have not escaped it; this is fate. I have long sought prominence, yet have not attained it; this is timing. In the time of Yao and Shun, none in the realm were destitute, but this was not due to wisdom. In the time of Jie and Zhou, none in the realm attained prominence, but this was not due to a lack of wisdom. The times were simply such. To travel the waters without avoiding flood dragons is the courage of a fisherman. To walk the land without avoiding rhinoceroses and tigers is the courage of a hunter. When naked blades cross before oneself, to view death as life is the courage of a resolute warrior. To know that destitution is of fate, to know that prominence is of timing, and to face great calamity without fear is the courage of a sage. Therefore, though I am in difficulty here today, I am not afraid, and thus play the zither and make music." The Analects says: "Heaven produced virtue in me; what can the men of Kuang do to me?")