Legge Translation (1861)

Zilu, following the Master, happened to fall behind, when he met an old man, carrying across his shoulder on a staff a basket for weeds. Zilu said to him: "Have you seen my master, sir?"

The old man replied: "Your four limbs are unaccustomed to toil; you cannot distinguish the five kinds of grain: — who is your master?" With this, he stuck his staff in the ground, and proceeded to weed.

Zilu joined his hands across his breast, and stood before him. The old man kept Zilu to pass the night in his house, killed a fowl, prepared millet, and feasted him. He also presented to him his two sons. Next day, Zilu went on his way, and reported his adventure. The Master said: "He is a recluse," and sent Zilu back to see him again, but when he got to the place, the old man was gone.

Zilu then said to the family: "Not to take office is not righteous. If the relations between old and young may not be neglected, how is it that he sets aside the duties that should be observed between sovereign and minister? Wishing to maintain his own purity, he allows a great human relation to come to confusion. A superior man takes office, and performs the righteous duties belonging to it. As to the failure of right principles to make progress, he is aware of that."