CHAP. VII. 1. Pi Hsi inviting him to visit him, the Master was
inclined to go.
2. Tsze-lu said, 'Master, formerly I have heard you say,
"When a man in his own person is guilty of doing evil, a superior
man will not associate with him." Pi Hsi is in rebellion, holding
possession of Chung-mau; if you go to him, what shall be said?'
3. The Master said, 'Yes, I did use these words. But is it not
said, that, if a thing be really hard, it may be ground without being
made thin? Is it not said, that, if a thing be really white, it may be
steeped in a dark fluid without being made black?
4. 'Am I a bitter gourd! How can I be hung up out of the way
of being eaten?'

CONFUCIAN ANALECTS, BOOK XVII. YANG HO.