陈成子弑简公。孔子沐浴而朝，告于哀公曰：“陈恒弑其君，请讨之。”公曰：“告夫三子。”孔子曰：“以吾从大夫之后，不敢不告也，君曰‘告夫三子’者！”之三子告，不可。孔子曰：“以吾从大夫之后，不敢不告也。”
1Chan Ch'ang murdered the Duke Chien of Ch'i.
2Confucius bathed, went to court, and informed the duke Ai, saying, 'Chan Hang has slain his sovereign. I beg that you will undertake to punish him.'
3The duke said, 'Inform the chiefs of the three families of it.'
4Confucius retired, and said, 'Following in the rear of the great officers, I did not dare not to represent such a matter, and my prince says, "Inform the chiefs of the three families of it."'
5He went to the chiefs, and informed them, but they would not act. Confucius then said, 'Following in the rear of the great officers, I did not dare not to represent such a matter.'