The Master said, 'If the search for riches is sure to be successful, though I should become a groom with whip in hand to get them, I will do so. As the search…
1The Master said, 'If the search for riches is sure to be successful, though I should become a groom with whip in hand to get them, I will do so. As the search may not be successful, I will follow after that which I love.'
The notes printed with this passage in Chinese editions, kept in Chinese, for readers who come to the text that way.
而：用法同“如”，表示假设的连词。可求：可以求得，指道理上可以求得。
执鞭之士：古代的天子、诸侯和官员出人时手执皮鞭开路的人。意思指地位低下的职事。