The Master said, 'T'ai-po may be said to have reached the highest point of virtuous action. Thrice he declined the kingdom, and the people in ignorance of his…
1The Master said, 'T'ai-po may be said to have reached the highest point of virtuous action. Thrice he declined the kingdom, and the people in ignorance of his motives could not express their approbation of his conduct.'
The notes printed with this passage in Chinese editions, kept in Chinese, for readers who come to the text that way.
泰伯：又叫太伯，周朝祖先古公亶父的长子。古公有三个儿子、泰伯、仲雍、季历。季历的儿子就是姬昌（周文王）。传说古公预见到姬昌的圣德，想打破惯例把君位传给幼子季历。长子泰伯为便父亲愿望实现，便偕同仲雍出走他国，便季历和姬昌顺利即位，后来姬昌之子统一了天下。