Confucian Analects · Analects 9.11
1. The Master being very ill, Tsze-lu wished the disciples to act as ministers to him. 2. During a remission of his illness, he said, 'Long has the conduct of Yu been deceitful! By pretending to have ministers when I have them not, whom should I impose upon? Should I impose upon Heaven? 3. 'Moreover, than that I should die in the hands of ministers, is it not better that I should die in the hands of you, my disciples? And though I may not get a great burial, shall I die upon the road?'
Chinese · source text【十一章】【一節】子疾病、子路使門人為臣。【二節】病間曰、久矣哉、由之行詐也、無臣而為有臣、吾誰欺、欺天乎。【三節】且予與其死於臣之手也、無寧死於二三子之手乎、且予縱不得大葬、予死於道路乎。
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Confucius · English translation by James Legge · bilingual transcription
James Legge, The Chinese Classics, Volume 1: Confucian Analects · Project Gutenberg #4094
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