translated from Classical Chinese by
James Legge, 1893
Mang Wu asked about Tsze-lu, whether he was perfectly virtuous. The Master said, ‘I do not know.’ 2. He asked again, when the Master replied, ‘In a kingdom of a thousand chariots, Yu might be employed to manage the military levies, but I do not know whether he be perfectly virtuous.’ 3. ‘And what do you say of Ch’iu?’ The Master replied, ‘In a city of a thousand families, or a clan of a hundred chariots, Ch’iu might be employed as governor, but I do not know whether he is perfectly virtuous.’ 4. ‘What do you say of Ch’ih?’ The Master replied, ‘With his sash girt and standing in a court, Ch’ih might be employed to converse with the visitors and guests, but I do not know whether he is perfectly virtuous.’