Lun Yu – Les Entretiens de Confucius

Tzeu houa était dans la principauté de Ts'i chargé d'une mission1. Jen tzeu2 demanda à Confucius une allocation de grain pour la mère de Tzeu houa. Le Maître dit : « Je lui en donne six boisseaux et quatre dixièmes. » Jen tzeu en demanda davantage. Confucius dit : « Je lui en donne seize boisseaux. » Jen tzeu lui en donna de son chef quatre cents boisseaux. Le Maître réprimanda Jen tzeu, et lui dit : « Tzeu houa est allé à Ts'i dans un char traîné par des chevaux magnifiques, et avec des vêtements garnis de fine fourrure. J'ai entendu dire que l'homme honorable secourait les indigents ; mais n'ajoutait pas à l'opulence des riches. » [...]

Couvreur VI.3.

Discrimination of Confucius in rewarding or salarying officers.
1. Tsze-hwâ being employed on a mission to Ch'î, the disciple Zan requested grain for his mother. The Master said, "Give her a fû." Yen requested more. "Give her an yü," said the Master. Yen gave her five ping.
2. The Master said, "When Ch'ih was proceeding to Ch'î, he had fat horses to his carriage, and wore light furs. I have heard that a superior man helps the distressed, but does not add to the wealth of the rich." [...]

Legge VI.3.

Jan Tzu asked for grain for the mother of Tzu-hua who was away on a mission to Ch'i. The Master said, 'Give her one fu.' Jan Tzu asked for more. 'Give her one yu.' Jan Tzu gave her five ping of grain. The Master said, 'Ch'ih went off to Ch'i drawn by well-fed horses and wearing light furs. I have heard it said. A gentleman gives to help the needy and not to maintain the rich in style.'

Lau [6:4]