【英译】(Translation in English)

Zi Xia said to Confucius, “ What do you think about Yan Yuan’s conduct?” Confucius replied, “ Yan Hui is superior to me in trustworthiness.” Zi Xia said again, “ What do you think about Zi Gong’s conduct?” Confucius replied, “ Duan Mu-si is superior to me in intelligence.” Zi Xia said again, “ What do you think about Zi Lu’s conduct?” Confucius replied, “ Zhong You is superior to me in valiancy.” Zi Xia said again, “ What do you think about Zi Zhang’s conduct?” Confucius replied, “ Zhuan Sun-shi is superior to me in respectfulness.” And then Zi Xia left his seat and stood up to say, “ Such being the case, for what do Yan Hui, Zi Gong, Zi Lu and Zi Zhang still learn from you, Master?” Confucius remarked, “ Be seated. Let me tell you how come. It is because Yan Hui is lacking in ability to show ready adaptability, though he is trustworthy; Duan Mu-si cannot pocket an insult, though he is intelligent; Zhong You cannot play the coward, though he is valiant; Zhuan Sun-shi cannot get along well with his classmates, though he is respectful. Even though I’m possessed of the four disciples’ advantages, I won’t do so.” The so-called most sagacious person must be able to understand the benefit of acting, uttering and deporting himself appropriately and the function of reacting and maneuvering properly.