」對曰：「大理為務。
“When cases are decided incorrectly, the dead cannot be made to live again, and dismembered parts cannot be made whole again; therefore, I say that the administration of law is most deserving of attention.” A short while later, Zilu had an audience with Lord Ling, and Lord Ling told him what Archivist Qiu had said.
聽獄不中，死者不可生也，斷者不可屬也，故曰大理為務。
“The chief marshal’s office is the most needful of attention,” said Zilu.
」少焉，子路見公，公以史鰌言告之，子路曰：「司馬為務。
“When two states suffer calamity and their two armies oppose each other on the battlefield, it is the chief marshal who holds the drum stick that directs the movements of the troops.
兩國有難，兩軍相當，司馬執枹以行之，一鬬不當，死者數萬，以殺人為非也，此其為殺人亦眾矣，故曰，司馬為務。
If he is wrong in a single clash, tens of thousands of people will die.
」少焉，子貢入見，公以二子言告之，子貢曰：「不識哉！
If you consider killing people to be evil, this is surely a huge multiplication of that evil; hence I say that the chief marshal’s office is the most deserving of attention.” A short while later, Zigong had an audience with Lord Ling in which the latter told him what the two previous officers had said.
昔禹與有扈氏戰，三陣而不服。
“How ignorant!” exclaimed Zigong.
禹於是脩教一年，而有扈氏請服。
“In former times, when Yu fought with the Hu, he arrayed his troops against them three times, but they did not submit.
故曰，『去民之所事，奚獄之所聽，兵革之不陳，奚鼓之所鳴。
Yu thereupon promulgated instruction in his realm for a year, after which the Hu came of themselves to offer submission. Hence it is said, ‘If causes of contention among the people are removed, what cases will there be to hear?
』故曰，教為務也。」
If troops are not arrayed in battle, what drum strokes will be heard?’ I therefore say that instruction is most in need of attention.