Legge Translation (1861)

Ziyou said: "The disciples and followers of Zixia, in sprinkling and sweeping the ground, in answering and replying, in advancing and receding, are sufficiently accomplished. But these are only the appendages of learning, and they are without what is essential. How can they be reckoned complete?"

Zixia, hearing the remark, said: "Alas! Yan You is wrong. According to the way of the superior man in teaching, what departments are there which he considers of the first importance, and delivers? What are there which he considers of secondary importance, and allows himself to be idle about? But as in the case of plants, which are classified according to their several natures, so should disciples be taught. How can the way of a superior man be such as to make fools of any of them? Is it not only the sage who can unite in one the beginning and the consummation of learning?"