The head of the Chi family was going to attack Chwan-yu,
季氏将伐颛臾,
Zan Yu and Chi-lu had an interview with Confucius, and said, "Our chief, Chil is going to commence operations against Chwan-yu."
冉有、季路见于孔子,曰:“季氏将有事于颛臾。”
Confucius said, "Ch'iu, is it not you who are in fault here?"
孔子曰:“求,无乃尔是过与?”
Now, in regard to Chwan-yu, long ago, a former king appointed its ruler to preside over the sacrifices to the eastern Mang;
夫颛臾,昔者先王以为东蒙主;
moreover, it is in the midst of the territory of our state, and its ruler is a minister in direct connection with the sovereign.
且在邦域之中矣,是社稷之臣也。
What has your chief to do with attacking it?"
何以伐为?”
Zan Yu said, "Our master wishes the thing; neither of us two ministers wishes it."
冉有曰:“夫子欲之,吾二臣者皆不欲也。”
Confucius said, "Ch'iu, there are the words of Chau Zan, 'When he can put forth his ability, he takes his place in the ranks of office,
孔子曰:“求,周任有言曰:‘陈力就列,
when he finds himself unable to do so, he retires from it.
不能者止。
How can he be used as a guide to a blind man, who does not support him when tottering, nor raise him up when fallen?'
危而不持,颠而不扶,则将焉用彼相矣?’
And further, you speak wrongly, when a tiger or rhinoceros escapes from his cage, when a tortoise or piece of jade is injured in its repository, whose is the fault?"
且尔言过矣,虎兕出于柙,龟玉毁于椟中,是谁之过与?”