論 語 Lun Yu – The Analects of Confucius

子疾病、子路使門人為臣、病聞、曰‘久矣哉、由之行詐也、無臣而為有臣、吾誰欺、欺天乎、且予與其死於臣之手也、無甯死於二三子之手乎、且予縱不得大葬、予死於道路乎’

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Confucius's dislike of pretension, and contentment with his condition.
1. The Master being very ill, Tsze-lû wished the disciples to act as ministers to him.
2. During a remission of his illness, he said, "Long has the conduct of Yû 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?"

Legge IX.11.

The Master was seriously ill. Tzu-lu told his disciples to act as retainers. During a period when his condition had improved, the Master said, 'Yu has long been practising deception. In pretending that I had retainers when I had none, who would we be deceiving? Would we be deceiving Heaven? Moreover, would I not rather die in your hands, my friends, than in the hands of retainers? And even if I were not given an elaborate funeral, it is not as if I was dying by the wayside.' I

Lau [9:12]

Le Maître étant gravement malade, Tzeu lou engagea les disciples à lui servir d'intendants1. Le mal ayant un peu diminué, Confucius dit : « Il y a longtemps, Iou, que tu uses de faux-semblants. Je n'ai pas d'intendants, et cependant je suis comme si j'en avais. Puis-je tromper quelqu'un par cette ruse ? Espéré-je tromper le Ciel ? D'ailleurs, ne m'est-il pas préférable de mourir entre les mains de mes disciples qu'entre les mains d'intendants ? Et quand même je n'aurais pas un pompeux enterrement, je peux être sûr de ne pas mourir au bord d'un chemin ! »

Couvreur IX.11.