昔傅說衣褐帶劍，而築於秕傳之城，武丁夕夢旦得之，時王也；寧戚飯牛康衢，擊車輻而歌碩鼠，桓公得之，時霸也；百里奚自賣五羊之皮，為秦人虜，穆公得之，時強也。
“Why,” he asked, did you leave the marquis of Chen’s state and come here instead to instruct the unworthy ruler of a little territory?” Chenzi said, “Excellence, please note, has its techniques and opportunity has its seasons.
In former times Fu Yue44 wore the short garb of a commoner tied at the waist with rope when he pounded earth for a city wall at Bi Fu.
Wu Ding46 dreamed of him in the evening and obtained his services the next day; thus, Wu Ding came to be a king in his era.
論若三子之行，未得為孔子駿徒也，今孔子經營天下，南有陳、蔡之阨，而北干景公，二坐而五立，未嘗離也。
Ning Qi47 grazed his oxen by the thoroughfare and sang the “Great Rat” song48 as he tapped the crosspieces of his carriage wheels.
Lord Huan49 obtained his services and became foremost among the lords in his era.
Boli Xi50 sold himself for five sheepskins and became a captive in Qin. Lord Mu51 obtained his services and became powerful in his time.
孔子之時不行，而景公之時怠也。
“Great though their accomplishments were, none of those three men was among the illustrious disciples of Kongzi.
Now Kongzi pursued his aims throughout the realm, but in the south he met with peril between Chen and Cai, and, when he went north to appear before Lord Jing, he sat thrice and stood five times, and was never entrusted with a position. Kongzi’s era was not propitious, and Lord Jing’s era was lax.
If Kongzi with his great wisdom was unable to overcome the remissness of his era, what can be expected of me?