The Master being very ill, Tsze-lu wished the disciples to act as ministers to him.
子疾病，子路使门人为臣。
During a remission of his illness, he said, "Long has the conduct of Yu been deceitful!
病间，曰：“久矣哉，由之行诈也！
By pretending to have ministers when I have them not, whom should I impose upon? Should I impose upon Heaven?
无臣而为有臣，吾谁欺？欺天乎？
"Moreover, than that I should die in the hands of ministers, is it not better that I should die in the hands of you, my disciples?
且予与其死于臣之手也，无宁死于二三子之手乎！
And though I may not get a great burial, shall I die upon the road?"
且予纵不得大葬，予死于道路乎？”

Tsze-kung said, "There is a beautiful gem here. Should I lay it up in a case and keep it? or should I seek for a good price and sell it?"
子贡曰：“有美玉于斯，韫椟而藏诸？求善贾而沽诸？”
The Master said, "Sell it! Sell it! But I would wait for one to offer the price."
子曰：“沽之哉，沽之哉！我待贾者也。”
The Master was wishing to go and live among the nine wild tribes of the east.
子欲居九夷。
Some one said, "They are rude. How can you do such a thing?"
或曰：“陋，如之何？”
The Master said, "If a superior man dwelt among them, what rudeness would there be?"
子曰：“君子居之，何陋之有！”
The Master said, "I returned from Wei to Lu, and then the music was reformed, and the pieces in the Royal songs and Praise songs all found their proper places."
子曰：“吾自卫反鲁，然后乐正，《雅》、《颂》各得其所。”