Legge Translation (1861)

The Master asked Gongming Jia about Gongshu Wen, saying: "Is it true that your master speaks not, laughs not, and takes not?"

Gongming Jia replied: "This has arisen from the reporters going beyond the truth. My master speaks when it is the time to speak, and so people do not get tired of his speaking. He laughs when there is occasion to be joyful, and so people do not get tired of his laughing. He takes when it is consistent with righteousness to do so, and so people do not get tired of his taking."

The Master said: "So! But is it so with him?"