孔門十哲 The Ten Disciples of Confucius
子貢 Zi Gong
端木賜（前520年－前446年），復姓端木，春秋末年衛國人，字子貢（古同子贛）。孔子的得意門生，孔門十哲之一，「受業身通」的弟子之一，少孔子三十一歲。孔子曾稱其為「瑚璉之器」，在孔門十哲中以言語聞名。萬仞宮墻典故，出自子貢稱贊孔夫子之學問高深。
Duanmu Ci, also known as Zigong, was born in 520 BC and died in 446 BC. He hailed from the state of Wei during the late Spring and Autumn period and was one of Confucius’ most esteemed disciples. Zigong was one of the “Ten Accomplished Followers of Confucius” and was considered one of the disciples who had fully “mastered the learning,” despite being 31 years younger than Confucius. Confucius praised Zigong, calling him “a fine jade fit for mounting,” and he was renowned among the Ten Accomplished Followers for his eloquence. The idiom “The wall of the Wanren Palace rises to a great height” originated from Zigong’s high praise of Confucius’ profound knowledge.
子貢利口巧辭，善於雄辯，且有幹濟才，辦事通達。曾任魯、衛兩國之相國。他還善於貨殖，曾經經商於曹國、魯國兩國之間，富致千金，為孔子弟子中首富。孔子去世前子貢未能趕到，孔子去世後，子貢守喪六年，為孔子弟子中為孔子守喪最長者。
Zigong, also known as Duanmu Ci, was not only skilled in eloquent speech but also possessed administrative talent and proficiency in handling affairs. He served as prime minister for both the states of Lu and Wei. Additionally, he was a successful businessman who engaged in commerce between the states of Cao and Lu, amassing a fortune and becoming the wealthiest disciple of Confucius. Despite being unable to attend Confucius’ funeral in time, Zigong mourned him for six years, which is the longest duration among all of Confucius’ disciples.後世，題辭挽商界有成就之人逝世，常以「端木遺風」等，甚至有人奉之為財神。「端木遺風」指子貢遺留下來的誠信經商的風氣。子貢善貨殖，有「君子愛財，取之有道」之風，為後世商界所推崇。司馬遷在《史記·貨殖列傳》中對子貢經商事有記載。與陶朱公範蠡齊名，為儒商初祖。嫡傳子貢之學的孫子為端木叔。子貢死於齊國。
In later times, it was common to use phrases like “the legacy of Duanmu” when mourning the passing of accomplished individuals in the business world, and some even worshiped him as a god of wealth. “The legacy of Duanmu” refers to the honest and trustworthy business practices that Zigong left behind. He was highly skilled in commerce and followed the principle that “gentlemen love wealth, but in a proper way,” earning him great respect in the business world. Zigong’s commercial activities were recorded in Sima Qian’s “Biographies of Merchants” in the “Records of the Grand Historian.” Along with Tao Zhu Gong Aka Fan Li, Zigong is considered one of the founding fathers of both business and Confucianism. Zigong’s true successor in learning was his grandson, Duanmu Shu. Zigong passed away in the state of Qi.
生平 Biography
拜師孔子 Achievement Studied under Confucius
田常攻魯
齊國大夫田常要攻打魯國，以威攝齊國國內高氏、國氏、鮑氏、晏氏等卿大夫等四大家族。是父母之國的魯國，最後由子貢出馬。
Tian Chang, a prominent official in the Qi state, intended to launch an attack on the state of Lu to exert his power over the four major clans of the Qi state, including the Gao, Guo, Bao, and Yan clans. However, it was Zigong, who considered the state of Lu as his homeland, that ultimately rode out to defend it.
子貢先出使齊國，說服田常，讓其同意放棄攻打魯國而先攻吳國。又到吳國說服吳王先別打越國而攻齊國，最後說服晉國休兵禦齊。最終吳敗齊，而田常亂。吳復攻晉，為晉所敗。越勾踐趁勢滅吳而霸。所謂：子貢一出，十年而存魯、亂齊、破吳、強晉、霸越。子貢也因此而聞名於諸侯。
Zigong was dispatched to the State of Qi as an envoy, where he convinced Tian Chang to abandon his plan to attack the State of Lu and instead attack the State of Wu first. He also traveled to the State of Wu to persuade the king to hold off the attack on the State of Yue and attack the State of Qi first. Moreover, he convinced the State of Jin to retreat and defend against the potential strike from the State of Qi. Ultimately, Wu triumphed over Qi, and Tian Chang’s plan failed. Wu then waged a campaign against Jin, but was vanquished by the latter. King Goujian of Yue seized the opportunity and annihilated Wu, establishing his hegemony. Thus, it was said that Zigong’s diplomacy ensured the survival of Lu, plunged Qi into chaos, defeated Wu, strengthened Jin, and allowed Yue to become dominant. Zigong became famous among the feudal states because of his achievements.
前479年
前479年3月9日（魯哀公十六年四月己醜日，儒略歷3月9日，格裏歷3月4日，夏歷二月十一），孔子歿，終年七十三歲，被葬於曲阜城北的泗水岸邊。眾弟子為其服喪3年，子貢為孔子守墳6年。
On March 9, 479 BC, Confucius died at the age of 73 and was interred on the bank of the Sishui River to the north of the city of Qufu. His disciples observed a three-year mourning period, during which Zigong tended to his tomb for six years.
子貢的個性 Zigong’s Personality
子貢討厭的人有三種：
明明是抄襲別人的想法，卻自以為很聰明。
不謙遜卻還以為這叫做勇氣。
攻擊他人卻自以為很正直。
子貢可能的缺點是同理心不足，因此在論語中，孔子三次提醒他要「恕」，也曾被師出同門的原憲批評。
Zigong had three types of people he disliked:
Those who blatantly copied other people’s ideas but believed themselves to be clever;
Those who lacked humility but considered it to be bravery;
Those who attacked others but believed themselves to be righteous.
One of Zigong’s possible shortcomings was his lack of empathy. Therefore, in the Analects, Confucius reminded him three times to “forgive,” and he was also criticized by his fellow disciple Yuan Xian for this.
子貢問曰：「有一言而可以終身行之者乎？」子曰：「其恕乎！己所不欲，勿施於人。」（論語15.24）
子貢曰：「我不欲人之加諸我也，吾亦欲無加諸人。」子曰：「賜也，非爾所及也。」（論語5.12）
子貢曰：「如有博施於民而能濟眾，何如？可謂仁乎？」子曰：「何事於仁！必也聖乎！堯舜其猶病諸！夫仁者，己欲立而立人，己欲達而達人。能近取譬，可謂仁之方也已。」（論語6.30）
Zigong asked, “Is there one word that can guide a person throughout life?” Confucius replied, “It is the word ‘恕(forgive).’ Do not do to others what you do not want done to yourself.” (Analects 15.24)
Zigong said, “I do not want others to impose on me, nor do I want to impose on others.” Confucius said, “Zigong, this is beyond your reach.” (Analects 5.12)
Zigong said, “What about someone who bestows benefits on the people and can help them live well? Can we say that this person has achieved the state of benevolence?” Confucius said, “It is not merely benevolence. It must be the state of sagehood! Even Yao and Shun would find it difficult to do so. A person with benevolence desires to establish himself while also helping others to do the same. He wants to make things easy for himself and others. To apply this principle to oneself and others is the way of practicing benevolence.”
子貢的口才 Zigong’s Eloquence
子貢口才很好，被列在言語科，擅長說服、探問、和評論，也就是在政治和商業方面的重要能力。說服事跡請見上方齊吳之戰。
Zigong had excellent communication skills and was listed in the category of “language and speech” in Confucius’ disciples. He was skilled in persuasion, inquiry, and commentary, which were important abilities in politics and business. His ability to persuade can be seen in the Battle of Qi and Wu mentioned earlier.
探問則是他獨特的訪談技巧。當子貢要問孔子老師一個重要問題時（例如政治立場、或仕官意願），直接問可能太魯莽，招致老師不悅而不願意回答。所以他會找尋一個類比，問孔子在那個類比事件的態度如何，而後推測孔子在真正問題上的態度如何。
As for probing, it was his unique interviewing skill. When Zigong wanted to ask his teacher Confucius an important question (such as his political stance or desire to hold office), asking directly might be too rash and would cause the teacher’s displeasure and unwillingness to answer. Therefore, he would find an analogy and ask Confucius about his attitude towards that analogy event, and then infer what his attitude towards the real question might be.
冉有曰：「夫子為衛君乎？」子貢曰：「諾；吾將問之。」入，曰：「伯夷﹑叔齊何人也？」曰：「古之賢人也。」曰：「怨乎？」曰：「求仁而得仁，又何怨？」出，曰：「夫子不為也。」（論語7.15）
Ran You inquired, “Would our teacher endorse the ruler of the State of Wei?” Zigong replied, “Let me ask the teacher.” Zigong entered Confucius’ chamber and asked, “What kind of individuals were Boyi and Shuqi?” Confucius replied, “They were ancient sages.” Zigong further inquired, “Did they have any regrets?” Confucius answered, “Having pursued benevolence and virtue, how could they have any regrets?” Zigong emerged and informed Ran You, “Our teacher would not endorse the ruler of the State of Wei.”
子貢曰：「有美玉於斯，韞(櫝)而藏諸？求善賈而沽諸？」子曰：「沽之哉！沽之哉！我待賈者也！」（論語9.13）
Zigong inquired, “Shall I preserve this beautiful jade in a box as a treasure or sell it to an expert merchant?” Confucius promptly replied, “Sell it! Sell it! I am eagerly anticipating a knowledgeable merchant.”
除了主動地探問，被動反問也是他的強項。孔子有時候對話從天外飛來一句開始，但其實不是要問問題，而是要表達自己的意見。悟性較差的曾子只會「是」，孔子就懶得繼續說了。但子貢會用開放式問句反問孔子，讓老師暢所欲言。
Apart from being skilled in actively asking questions, Zigong was also proficient in using passive questioning. At times, the conversation with Confucius would begin with a seemingly unrelated question, not intended to elicit an answer, but rather to convey his own perspective. Zengzi, with a lesser understanding, would respond with a simple “yes,” prompting Confucius to discontinue the dialogue. However, Zigong would pose open-ended questions in response to Confucius, enabling the teacher to express himself fully.
子曰：「莫我知也夫！」子貢曰：「何為其莫知子也？」子曰：「不怨天，不尤人；下學而上達。知我者，其天乎！」（論語14.36）
Confucius expressed, “No one truly comprehends me.” Zigong inquired, “Why do you think people cannot understand you?” Confucius explained, “Rather than attributing fault to the divine or human, I follow the ways of common people while aspiring to attain the will of heaven. It is likely that only heaven understands me.”
子曰：「賜也，女以予為多學而識之者與？」對曰：「然，非與？」曰：「非也！予一以貫之。」（論語15.3）
Confucius asked Zigong, “Do you think I am someone who learns extensively and remembers everything I have learned?” Zigong responded, “Yes, isn’t that the case?” Confucius clarified, “No, that is not the case. I integrate my knowledge with a fundamental concept.”
在評價他人方面，子貢算滿謹慎的，論語中記載不少他對孔子和顏回的稱贊，即使他個人事業極為成功，各界名人紛紛贊頌他比孔子厲害，他還是從不同的角度表達自己不如老師的地方。
Zigong is quite cautious when it comes to evaluating others. The Analects document many instances of him praising Confucius and Yan Hui. Even though he was highly successful himself, and widely acclaimed as being greater than Confucius by various prominent figures, Zigong never fails to express his own shortcomings compared to his teacher, from different angles.
子謂子貢曰：「女與回也，孰愈？」對曰：「賜也，何敢望回？回也，聞一以知十；賜也，聞一知二。」子曰：「弗如也；吾與女，弗如也。」（論語5.9）
Confucius asked Zigong, “Compared to Yan Hui, who do you think is stronger?” Zigong replied, “How can I compare myself to Yan Hui? When Yan Hui hears one thing, he can infer ten things from it, while I can only infer two.” Confucius replied, “Neither you nor I can match his abilities.”
子禽問於子貢曰：「夫子至於是邦也，必聞其政，求之與？抑與之與？子貢曰：「夫子溫﹑良﹑恭﹑儉﹑讓以得之。夫子之求之也，其諸異乎人之求之與？」（論語1.10）
Ziqin inquired of Zigong, “Whenever the Master visits a state, does he ask for information about its government affairs, or do people voluntarily offer it to him?” Zigong responded, “The Master acquires this knowledge through his warmth, kindness, respectfulness, frugality, and humility. His approach to acquiring information is likely distinct from that of others.”
叔孫武叔語大夫於朝曰：「子貢賢於仲尼。」子服景伯以告子貢。子貢曰：「譬之宮墻：賜之墻也及肩，窺見屋家之好；夫子之墻數仞，不得其門而入，不見宗廟之美，百官之富。得其門者或寡矣！夫子之雲，不亦宜乎！」（論語19.23）
Shusun Wushu once remarked to the court officials, “Zigong is stronger than Zhongni (Confucius).” Zifu Jingbo later conveyed this to Zigong, who used the metaphor of walls to respond, “The walls surrounding my home only reach shoulder height, allowing one to see the beauty of the buildings inside from outside. But my teacher’s walls are even higher, without any gates to enter, making it impossible to see the magnificence of the ancestral temple and the opulence of the buildings inside. Perhaps only a few can find the gates. Therefore, it is not surprising for Shusun Wushu to make such a remark.”
叔孫武叔毀仲尼。子貢曰：「無以為也！仲尼不可毀也。他人之賢者，丘陵也，猶可逾也；仲尼，日月也，無得而逾焉。人雖欲自絕，其何傷於日月乎？多見其不知量也！」（論語19.24）
When Shusun Wushu spoke ill of Confucius, Zigong admonished him, saying, “Please refrain from doing so! Confucius is beyond reproach. The talents of others are like hills that can be surpassed, but Confucius is like the sun and moon, unattainable. Even if one wishes to separate oneself from the sun and moon, what harm can they do? It only reveals one’s own limitations.”
陳子禽謂子貢曰：「子為恭也，仲尼豈賢於子乎？」子貢曰：「君子一言以為知，一言以為不知，言不可不慎也！夫子之不可及也，猶天之不可階而升也。夫子之得邦家者。所謂『立之斯立，道之期行，綏之期來，動之斯和。其生也榮，其死也哀』；如之何其可及也？」（論語19.25）
子貢不僅很會說話，也很會接話，而且很會安慰不得誌的孔子。孔子平常都表現的很樂天知命（「不患人不己知」），但在子貢面前竟會吐露心中深深的失落感，可見子貢很會安慰人，讓孔子願意對他訴苦。他確實很會鼓勵老師。
子曰：「莫我知也夫！」子貢曰：「何為其莫知子也？」子曰：「不怨天，不尤人；下學而上達。知我者，其天乎！」（論語14.36）
子曰：「予欲無言！」子貢曰：「子如不言，則小子何述焉？」子曰：「天何言哉！四時行焉，百物生焉；天何言哉？」（論語17.17）
歷代追封 Posthumous titles conferred by successive dynasties
唐開元二十七年（739年），追封其為「黎侯」。
宋大中祥符二年（1009年），加封為「黎公」。
明嘉靖九年，改稱「先賢端木子」。
In the 27th year of the Kaiyuan era of the Tang Dynasty (739 AD), he was posthumously awarded the title of “Marquis Li “.
In the 2nd year of the Xiangfu era of the Song Dynasty (1009 AD), he was further posthumously awarded the title of “Duke Li “.
In the 9th year of the Jiajing era of the Ming Dynasty, his title was changed to “Exemplary and Accomplished Sage, Master of Enduring Wood “.
軼事 Anecdotes
2022年香港中學文憑試中國語文科試卷三聆聽及綜合能力考試的主題為「社會企業」。透過錄音聲帶中老師的介紹，他認為現代的「社企精神」與儒商文化是相通的，而中國歷史上首先將儒家思想和營商結合起來的是子貢。
The theme for Paper 3 of the 2022 Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education Examination in Chinese Language and Culture was “Social Enterprises”. Through the recording of a teacher’s introduction, it was stated that the modern “social enterprise spirit” is in line with the Confucian merchant culture, and the first to combine Confucianism and business in Chinese history was Zigong.
