子貢贖人於諸侯，而還其金。
Zigong redeemed a person from a territorial lord but returned without accepting any money.
孔子聞之曰：「賜失之矣。
When Kongzi heard of this, he said, “This time, Si, you made the wrong choice!
聖人之舉事也，可以移風易俗，而教導可施於百姓，非獨適其身之行也。
The actions of sages are such that they have the power to transform customs, and the teachings of sages can be promulgated among the people.
Their actions are not appropriate merely to themselves alone.
今魯國富者寡而貧者眾，贖而受金，則為不廉，不受則後莫復贖；自今以來，魯人不復贖矣。
In the present case, those in Lu who are wealthy are few, and those who are poor are numerous.
」孔子可謂通於化矣。
Those who redeem slaves and accept rewards will be seen as unscrupulous, but those who redeem slaves and refuse rewards will be unable to repeat their actions later.
故老子曰：「見小曰明。」
From this time forth, the people of Lu will never again redeem others from slavery.” Kongzi can be said to have been well versed in the laws of change.
Thus, Laozi said, “Those who take note of minute phenomena may be pronounced enlightened.”68 68 Daodejing 52.