to inform the new Minister as to the old mode of administration. What
say you of him?"

"That he was a loyal man," said the Master.

"But was he a man of fellow-feeling?" said the disciple.

"Of that I am not sure," he answered; "how am I to get at that?"

The disciple went on to say:--"After the assassination of the prince of
Ts'i by the officer Ts'ui, the latter's fellow-official Ch'in Wan, who
had half a score teams of horses, gave up all, and turned his back upon
him. On coming to another State, he observed, 'There are here characters
somewhat like that of our minister Ts'ui,' and he turned his back upon
them. Proceeding to a certain other State, he had occasion to make the
same remark, and left. What say you of him?"

"That he was a pure-minded man," answered the Master.

"But was he a man of fellow-feeling?" urged the disciple.

"Of that I am not sure," he replied; "how am I to get at that?"

Ki Wan was one who thought three times over a thing before he acted. The
Master hearing this of him, observed, "Twice would have been enough."

Of Ning Wu, the Master said that when matters went well in the State he
used to have his wits about him: but when they went wrong, he lost them.
His intelligence might be equalled, but not his witlessness!