1. Fan Ch'e requested to be taught husbandry. The Master said, "I am not so good for that as an old husbandman." He requested also to be taught gardening, and was answered, "I am not so good for that as an old gardener."

4. A RULER HAS NOT TO OCCUPY HIMSELF WITH WHAT IS PROPERLY THE BUSINESS OF THE PEOPLE. It is to be supposed that Fan Ch'e was at this time in office somewhere, and thinking of the Master, as the villager and high officer did, IX. 2 and 6, that his knowledge embraced almost every subject, he imagined that he might get lessons from him on the two subjects he specifies, which he might use for the benefit of the people. 1. 稼 is properly the 'seedsowing', and 圃 , 'a kitchen-garden', but they are used generally, as in the transl. 3. 情, 'the feelings', 'desires', but sometimes, as here, in the sense of 'sincerity'. 襁, often joined with 褓, is a cloth with strings by which a child is strapped upon the back of its mother or nurse.—This par. shows what people in office should learn. Conf. intended that it should be repeated to Fan Ch'e.

2. Fan Ch'e having gone out, the Master said, "A small man, indeed, is Fan Seu!"

3. "If a superior love propriety, the people will not dare not to be reverent. If he love righteousness, the people will not dare not to submit to his example. If he love good faith, the people will not dare not to be sincere. Now, when these things obtain, the people from all quarters will come to him, bearing their children on their backs; what need has he of a knowledge of husbandry?"