Legge Translation (1861)

The Master said: "Straightforward was the historiographer Yu. When good government prevailed in his State, he was like an arrow. When bad government prevailed, he was like an arrow.

A superior man indeed is Qu Boyu! When good government prevails in his State, he is to be found in office. When bad government prevails, he can roll his principles up, and keep them in his breast."