III

The duke Ching of Ch’î, with reference to the manner in which he should treat Confucius, said, “I cannot treat him as I would the chief of the Chî family. I will treat him in a manner between that accorded to the chief of the Chî, and that given to the chief of the Mǎng family.” He also said, “I am old; I cannot use his doctrines.” Confucius took his departure.