Duke Yin

元年春，王正月。

In the first year, spring, the first month of the Zhou calendar.

（傳）元年者何？君之始年也。春者何？歲之始也。王者孰謂？謂文王也。曷為先言王而後言正月？王正月也。何言乎王正月？大一統也。公何以不言即位？成公意也。何成乎公之意？公將平國而反之桓。曷為反之桓？桓幼而貴，隱長而卑，其為尊卑也微，國人莫知。隱長又賢，諸大夫扳隱而立之。隱於是焉而辭立，則未知桓之將必得立也。且如桓立，則恐諸大夫之不能相幼君也，故凡隱之立為桓立也。隱長又賢，何以不宜立？立適以長不以賢，立子以貴不以長。桓何以貴？母貴也。母貴則子何以貴？子以母貴，母以子貴。

(Commentary) What is meant by "first year"? It is the year in which the ruler begins. What is meant by "spring"? It is the beginning of the year. Who is meant by "king"? King Wen is meant. Why is "king" written first and then "first month"? Because it is the king's first month. Why write "the king's first month"? To value the great unification. Why is it not written that Duke Yin "took his seat"? To accomplish Duke Yin's intention. How is his intention accomplished? Duke Yin intended to settle the state and then hand it back to Duke Huan. Why hand it back to Duke Huan? Duke Huan was young but of noble birth, while Duke Yin was older but of lower birth; the distinction of noble and lowly was subtle, and the people of the state did not clearly know it. Duke Yin was older and worthy, and the grand masters raised him up and installed him. If Duke Yin had declined to be installed at that time, it was not yet certain that Duke Huan could later be installed. Moreover, if Duke Huan were installed, it was feared that the grand masters could not assist a young ruler; so Duke Yin's installation this time was originally an installation for Duke Huan's sake. Duke Yin was older and worthy; why should he not be installed? In installing a son of the principal wife, one goes by age, not by worth; in installing a son of a secondary wife, one goes by rank, not by age. Why was Duke Huan of noble rank? Because his mother was of noble rank. If the mother is noble, why is the son therefore noble? The son is noble because of the mother, and the mother is noble because of the son.

（經一二）三月，公及邾婁儀父盟於眛。

(Classic 1.2) In the third month, Duke Yin and Yifu of Zhulou made a covenant at Mei.

（傳）及者何？與也，會及暨皆與也。曷為或言會，或言及，或言暨？會猶最也；及猶汲汲也；暨猶暨暨也。及我欲之，暨不得已也。儀父者何？邾婁之君也。何以名？字也。曷為稱字？褒之也。曷為褒之？為其與公盟也。與公盟者眾矣，曷為獨褒乎此？因其可褒而褒之。此其為可褒奈何？漸進也。眛者何？地期也。

(Commentary) What is meant by "and"? It means "with". "Meet", "and" and "together with" are all "with". Why is it sometimes written "meet", sometimes "and", and sometimes "together with"? "Meet" is like gathering together; "and" is like being eager to go; "together with" is like following reluctantly. "And" is when it is our side that wants to do it; "together with" is when it cannot be avoided. Who was Yifu? He was the ruler of Zhulou. Why is he called by name? In fact it is his courtesy name that is used. Why is his courtesy name used? To praise him. Why praise him? Because he made a covenant with Duke Yin. Many made covenants with Duke Yin; why praise only this occasion? Because he had something worth praising, he is praised. What was worth praising in him? He was gradually turning toward goodness. What is Mei? It is the place agreed upon for the meeting.

（經一三）夏，五月，鄭伯克段於鄢。

(Classic 1.3) In summer, the fifth month, the Earl of Zheng defeated Duan at Yan.

（傳）克之者何？殺之也。殺之則曷為謂之克？大鄭伯之惡也。曷為大鄭伯之惡？母欲立之，己殺之，如勿與而已矣。段者何？鄭伯之弟也。何以不稱弟？當國也。其地何？當國也。齊人殺無知何以不地？在內也。在內雖當國不地也。不當國雖在外亦不地也。

(Commentary) What is meant by "defeated him"? It means he killed him. If he killed him, why is it called "defeated"? To make the Earl of Zheng's wickedness appear greater. Why make the Earl of Zheng's wickedness appear greater? His mother wanted to set up Duan, yet he killed him himself; it would have been enough simply not to give him anything. Who was Duan? He was the Earl of Zheng's younger brother. Why is he not called "younger brother"? Because he held the power of the state. Why is the place recorded? Also because he held the power of the state. When the people of Qi killed Wuzhi, why is the place not recorded? Because the matter occurred within the state. Within the state, even if one holds power the place is not recorded; if one does not hold power, then even outside the state the place is not recorded.

（經一四）秋，七月，天王使宰咺來歸惠公仲子之賵。

(Classic 1.4) In autumn, the seventh month, the Son of Heaven of Zhou sent Zai Xuan to present carriages and horses for the funerals of Duke Hui and Zhongzi.

（傳）宰者何？官也。咺者何？名也。曷為以官氏？宰士也。惠公者何？隱之考也。仲子者何？桓之母也。何以不稱夫人？桓未君也。賵者何？喪事有賵。賵者蓋以馬，以乘馬束帛。車馬曰賵，貨財曰賻，衣被曰襚。桓未君則諸侯曷為來賵之？隱為桓立，故以桓母之喪告於諸侯。然則何言爾？成公意也。其言來何？不及事也。其言惠公仲子何？兼之，兼之非禮也。何以不言及仲子？仲子微也。

(Commentary) What is "Zai"? It is an office. What is Xuan? It is a personal name. Why is the office used as the clan name? Because he was a steward-gentleman. Who was Duke Hui? He was Duke Yin's father. Who was Zhongzi? She was Duke Huan's mother. Why is she not called "lady"? Because Duke Huan was not yet ruler. What is "feng"? In funerals there are feng gifts. Feng gifts are probably of horses, using four horses and a bundle of silk. Carriages and horses are called feng, money and goods are called fu, and clothing and bedding are called sui. Duke Huan was not yet ruler; why did the feudal lords send feng gifts? Duke Yin was installed for Duke Huan's sake, and so he announced the death of Duke Huan's mother to the feudal lords. Then why is this entry written at all? To accomplish Duke Yin's intention. Why is "came" written? Because when the things arrived, the funeral had already passed. Why are "Duke Hui" and "Zhongzi" named together? Because they were presented together, and presenting together is not in accord with ritual. Why is it not written "and Zhongzi"? Because Zhongzi's rank was low.

（經一五）九月，及宋人盟於宿。

(Classic 1.5) In the ninth month, a covenant was made with the people of Song at Su.

（傳）孰及之？內之微者也。

(Commentary) Who went to "be with" them? A person of low rank on our side in Lu.

（經一六）冬，十有二月，祭伯來。

(Classic 1.6) In winter, the twelfth month, the Earl of Zhai came.

（傳）祭伯者何？天子之大夫也。何以不稱使？奔也。奔則曷為不言奔？王者無外，言奔則有外之辭也。

(Commentary) Who was the Earl of Zhai? He was a grand master of the Son of Heaven. Why is "sent" not written? Because he fled into exile. Why, when he fled, is "fled" not written? The king has no "outside"; writing "fled" would turn it into wording that treats the royal domain as the outside.

（經一七）公子益師卒。

(Classic 1.7) Gongzi Yishi died.

（傳）何以不日？遠也。所見異辭，所聞異辭，所傳聞異辭。

(Commentary) Why is the day not recorded? Because the time was long past. What one saw with one's own eyes is described with one set of wording, what one heard with one's own ears with another, and what had been handed down by report from further back with yet another.

春，公會戎於潛。（經二二）夏，五月，莒人入向。

In spring, Duke Yin met with the Rong at Qian. (Classic 2.2) In summer, the fifth month, the people of Ju entered Xiang.

（傳）入者何？得而不居也。

(Commentary) What is meant by "entered"? It means they obtained it but did not occupy it.

（經二三）無駭帥師入極。

(Classic 2.3) Wuhai led an army and entered Ji.

（傳）無駭者何？展無駭也。何以不氏？貶。曷為貶？疾始滅也。始滅昉於此乎？前此矣。前此則曷為始乎此？托始焉爾。曷為托始焉爾？《春秋》之始也。此滅也，其言入何？內大惡，諱也。

(Commentary) Who was Wuhai? He was Zhan Wuhai. Why is his clan name not written? It is a demotion. Why demote him? Out of hatred that he began the destruction of states. Did the destruction of states begin here? It existed before this. If it existed before, why count it as beginning here? To use this as a starting point. Why use this as a starting point? Because this is the beginning of the Spring and Autumn Annals. This was a destruction; why is "entered" written? The great wickedness of Lu itself must be concealed.

（經二四）秋，八月庚辰，公及戎盟於唐。

(Classic 2.4) In autumn, the eighth month, gengchen day, Duke Yin made a covenant with the Rong at Tang.

（經二五）九月，紀履緰來逆女。

(Classic 2.5) In the ninth month, Ji Lüshu came to welcome a bride from Lu.

（傳）紀履緰者何？紀大夫也。何以不稱使？婚禮不稱主人。然則曷稱？稱諸父兄師友。宋公使公孫壽來納幣，則其稱主人何？辭窮也。辭窮者何？無母也。然則紀有母乎？曰有。有則何以不稱母？母不通也。外逆女不書，此何以書？譏。何譏爾？譏始不親迎也。始不親迎昉於此乎？前此矣。前此則曷為始乎？此托始焉爾。曷為托始焉爾？《春秋》之始也。女曷為或稱女，或稱婦，或稱夫人？女在其國稱女，在塗稱婦，入國稱夫人。

(Commentary) Who was Ji Lüshu? He was a grand master of Ji. Why is "sent" not used? In marriage the host is not named. Then whom does one name? One names the father, elder brother, teacher or friend. When the Duke of Song sent Gongsun Shou to deliver betrothal gifts, he is called the host; why? The wording was exhausted. What is meant by the wording being exhausted? It means there was no mother. Did Ji then have a mother? The answer is: yes. If so, why is the mother not named? Because a mother cannot communicate with the outside. When a bride is welcomed from outside, it is normally not recorded; why is it recorded here? It is a criticism. What is criticized? That from this point on, rulers no longer went in person to welcome their brides. Did the failure to welcome in person begin here? It existed before this. If it existed before, why count it as beginning here? To use this as a starting point. Why use this as a starting point? Because this is the beginning of the Spring and Autumn Annals. Why is a woman sometimes called "daughter", sometimes "wife", and sometimes "lady"? While still in her own state she is called daughter, on the road she is called wife, and when she enters her husband's state she is called lady.

（經二六）冬，十月，伯姬歸於紀。

(Classic 2.6) In winter, the tenth month, Bo Ji was married into Ji.

（傳）伯姬者何？內女也。其言歸何？婦人謂嫁曰歸。

(Commentary) Who was Bo Ji? She was a daughter of Lu. Why is "returned" written? A woman's marriage is called "returning".

（經二七）紀子伯、莒子盟於密。

(Classic 2.7) The Viscount of Ji, Bo, and the Viscount of Ju made a covenant at Mi.

（傳）紀子伯者何？無聞焉爾。

(Commentary) Who was the Viscount of Ji, Bo? We have not heard.

（經二八）十有二月乙卯，夫人子氏薨。鄭人伐衛。

(Classic 2.8) In the twelfth month, yimao day, Lady Zishi died. The people of Zheng attacked Wei.

（傳）夫人子氏者何？隱公之母也。何以不書葬？成公意也。何成乎公之意？子將不終為君，故母亦不終為夫人也。

(Commentary) Who was Lady Zishi? She was Duke Yin's mother. Why is the burial not recorded? To accomplish Duke Yin's intention. How is his intention accomplished? Her son would not be able to remain ruler to the end, so his mother could not remain lady to the end.

春，王二月己巳，日有食之。

In spring, the second month of the Zhou calendar, jisi day, there was an eclipse of the sun.

（傳）何以書？記異也。日食則曷為或日或不日？或言朔或不言朔？曰「某月某日朔，日有食之」者，食正朔也；其或日或不日，或失之前，或失之後。失之前者，朔在前也；失之後者，朔在後也。

(Commentary) Why is it recorded? To record an anomaly. Why is the day of a solar eclipse sometimes recorded and sometimes not? Why is "new moon" sometimes written and sometimes not? When it is written "in such month, on such day, new moon, the sun was eclipsed", the eclipse fell exactly on the new moon; when the day is sometimes recorded and sometimes not, it was either ahead or behind. Ahead means the new moon came earlier; behind means the new moon came later.

（經三二）三月庚戌，天王崩。

(Classic 3.2) In the third month, gengxu day, the Son of Heaven died.

（傳）何以不書葬？天子記崩不記葬，必其時也。諸侯記卒記葬，有天子存，不得必其時也。曷為或言崩或言薨？天子曰崩，諸侯曰薨，大夫曰卒，士曰不祿。

(Commentary) Why is the burial not recorded? For the Son of Heaven, death is recorded but burial is not, because the burial date is fixed. For the feudal lords, both death and burial are recorded, because there is a Son of Heaven above and they cannot fix the date by themselves. Why is "collapsed" sometimes written and "passed away" sometimes? For the Son of Heaven it is called "collapsed", for a feudal lord "passed away", for a grand master "ended", and for a gentleman "no longer emolumented".

（經三三）夏，四月辛卯，尹氏卒。

(Classic 3.3) In summer, the fourth month, xinmao day, Lord Yin died.

（傳）尹氏者何？天子之大夫也。其稱尹氏何？貶。曷為貶？譏世卿，世卿非禮也。外大夫不卒，此何以卒？天王崩，諸侯之主也。

(Commentary) Who was Lord Yin? He was a grand master of the Son of Heaven. Why is he called "Lord Yin"? It is a demotion. Why demote him? It criticizes hereditary ministers; hereditary ministers are not in accord with ritual. The death of a grand master of another state is normally not recorded; why is it recorded here? When the Son of Heaven died, he was host to the feudal lords.

（經三四）秋，武氏子來求賻。

(Classic 3.4) In autumn, the son of Lord Wu came to seek funeral goods.

（傳）武氏子者何？天子之大夫也。其稱武氏子何？譏。何譏爾？父卒子未命也。何以不稱使？當喪未君也。武氏子來求賻，何以書？譏。何譏爾？喪事無求，求賻非禮也，蓋通於下。

(Commentary) Who was the son of Lord Wu? He was a grand master of the Son of Heaven. Why is he called "son of Lord Wu"? It is a criticism. What is criticized? His father had died, and the son had not yet received his commission. Why is "sent" not written? It was during the funeral, and the new ruler had not yet taken his seat. The son of Lord Wu came to seek fu gifts; why is this recorded? It is a criticism. What is criticized? In funerals one should not seek things from others; seeking fu gifts is not in accord with ritual, and this applies to those below as well.

（經三五）八月庚辰，宋公和卒。

(Classic 3.5) In the eighth month, gengchen day, Duke He of Song died.

（經三六）冬，十有二月，齊侯、鄭伯盟於石門。癸未，葬宋繆公。

(Classic 3.6) In winter, the twelfth month, the Marquis of Qi and the Earl of Zheng made a covenant at Shimen. On guiwei day, Duke Miu of Song was buried.

（傳）葬者曷為或日或不日？不及時而日，渴葬也；不及時而不日，慢葬也。過時而日，隱之也；過時而不日，謂之不能葬也。當時而不日，正也。當時而日，危不得葬也。此當時何危爾？宣公謂繆公曰：「以吾愛與夷，則不若愛女；以為社稷宗廟主，則與夷不若女，盍終為君矣？」宣公死，繆公立，繆公逐其二子莊公馮與左師勃，曰：「爾為吾子，生毋相見，死毋相哭。」與夷復曰：「先君之所為不與臣國而納國乎君者，以君可以為社稷宗廟主也。今君逐君之二子而將致國乎與夷，此非先君之意也。且使子而可逐，則先君其逐臣矣。」繆公曰：「先君之不爾逐可知矣，吾立乎此攝也。」終致國乎與夷。莊公馮弒與夷。故君子大居正，宋之禍宣公為之也。

(Commentary) Why is the day of a burial sometimes recorded and sometimes not? If it is before the proper time and the day is recorded, the burial was hurried; if it is before the proper time and the day is not recorded, the burial was neglectful. If it is past the proper time and the day is recorded, it shows sympathy for him; if it is past the proper time and the day is not recorded, it is called being unable to bury. If the proper time is met and the day is not recorded, that is the regular form. If the proper time is met and the day is recorded, it is out of worry that burial might not be possible. What was there to worry about in this proper time? Duke Xuan said to Duke Miu: "As for my fondness for Yuyi, it does not equal my fondness for you; as for being master of the altars of state and the ancestral temple, Yuyi does not equal you. Why not be ruler to the end and take this state?" When Duke Xuan died and Duke Miu was installed, Duke Miu drove out his own two sons, Zhuang Gong Feng and the Left Preceptor Bo, saying: "As my sons, do not meet while alive and do not weep for each other when dead." Yuyi replied: "The reason the former ruler did not give the state to me but handed it to you was that you could be master of the altars of state and the ancestral temple. Now you drive out your own two sons and wish to hand the state to Yuyi, which is not the former ruler's intention. Moreover, if sons can be driven out, then the former ruler should have driven me out." Duke Miu said: "That the former ruler did not drive you out, the reason can already be known. My standing in this position is as a regent." In the end he handed the state to Yuyi. Zhuang Gong Feng killed Yuyi. Therefore the gentleman values dwelling in what is right, and the calamity of Song was brought about by Duke Xuan.

春，王二月，莒人伐杞，取牟婁。

In spring, the second month of the Zhou calendar, the people of Ju attacked Qi and seized Moulou.

（傳）牟婁者何？杞之邑也。外取邑不書，此何以書？疾始取邑也。

(Commentary) What is Moulou? It is a city of Qi. The seizing of a city of another state is normally not recorded; why is it recorded here? Out of hatred that city seizing began here.

（經四二）戊申，衛州籲弒其君完。

(Classic 4.2) On wushen day, Zhou Xu of Wei killed his ruler Wan.

（傳）曷為以國氏？當國也。

(Commentary) Why is the state name used as the clan name? Because he held the power of the state.

（經四三）夏，公及宋公遇於清。

(Classic 4.3) In summer, Duke Yin met the Duke of Song at Qing.

（傳）遇者何？不期也。一君出，一君要之也。

(Commentary) What is meant by "met by chance"? It means there was no agreement. One ruler went out, and another ruler invited him to meet.

（經四四）宋公、陳侯、蔡人、衛人伐鄭。秋，翬帥師會宋公、陳侯、蔡人、衛人伐鄭。

(Classic 4.4) The Duke of Song, the Marquis of Chen, and the people of Cai and Wei attacked Zheng. In autumn, Hui led an army to join the Duke of Song, the Marquis of Chen, and the people of Cai and Wei in attacking Zheng.

（傳）翬者何？公子翬也。何以不稱公子？貶。曷為貶？與弒公也。其與弒公奈何？公子翬諂乎隱公，謂隱公曰：「百姓安子，諸侯說子，盍終為君矣？」隱曰：「吾否，吾使修塗裘，吾將老焉。」公子翬恐若其言聞乎桓，於是謂桓曰：「吾為子口隱矣。隱曰：『吾不反也。』」桓曰：「然則奈何？」曰：「請作難，弒隱公。」於鍾巫之祭焉弒隱公也。

(Commentary) Who was Hui? He was Gongzi Hui. Why is he not called Gongzi? It is a demotion. Why demote him? Because he took part in the assassination of Duke Yin. How did he take part in the assassination of Duke Yin? Gongzi Hui flattered Duke Yin, saying to him: "The people are at ease with you and the feudal lords like you; why do you not be ruler to the end and hold this state?" Duke Yin said: "No. I have had Tuqiu repaired, and I intend to spend my old age there." Gongzi Hui feared these words would reach Duke Huan's ears, so he said to Duke Huan: "I have already sounded out Duke Yin for you. Duke Yin said: 'I will not hand it back.'" Duke Huan said: "What shall we do?" The answer was: "Let us start the trouble and kill Duke Yin." At the sacrifice to Zhongwu, they killed Duke Yin.

（經四五）九月，衛人殺州籲於濮。

(Classic 4.5) In the ninth month, the people of Wei killed Zhou Xu at Pu.

（傳）其稱人何？討賊之辭也。

(Commentary) Why is "the people" used? This is the wording for punishing a rebel.

（經四六）冬，十有二月，衛人立晉。

(Classic 4.6) In winter, the twelfth month, the people of Wei installed Jin.

（傳）晉者何？公子晉也。立者何？立者不宜立也。其稱人何？眾立之之辭也。然則孰立之？石碏立之。石碏立之，則其稱人何？眾之所欲立也。眾雖欲立之，其立之非也。

(Commentary) Who was Jin? He was Gongzi Jin. What is meant by "installed"? The use of the word "installed" indicates that this person should not have been installed. Why is "the people" used? It is the wording for being installed by the multitude. Then who installed him? Shi Que installed him. If Shi Que installed him, why is "the people" used? Because it was what the multitude wanted. Though the multitude wanted to install him, installing him was still not right.

春，公觀魚於棠。

In spring, Duke Yin watched the fishing at Tang.

（傳）何以書？譏。何譏爾？遠也。公曷為遠而觀魚？登來之也。百金之魚公張之，登來之者何？美大之之辭也。棠者何？濟上之邑也。

(Commentary) Why is it recorded? It is a criticism. What is criticized? That it was too far away. Why did Duke Yin go so far to watch fishing? He "gathered them" and obtained them. Fish worth a hundred pieces of gold, Duke Yin took with a net. What is meant by "gather"? It is wording of praise and of making the matter appear grand. What is Tang? It is a city on the bank of the Ji River.

（經五二）夏，四月，葬衛桓公。

(Classic 5.2) In summer, the fourth month, Duke Huan of Wei was buried.

（經五三）秋，衛師入盛。

(Classic 5.3) In autumn, the army of Wei entered Sheng.

（傳）曷為或言率師或不言率師？將尊師眾稱某率師，將尊師少稱將；將卑師眾稱師，將卑師少稱人。君將不言率師，書其重者也。

(Commentary) Why is "led an army" sometimes written and sometimes not? When the commander is noble and the army is large, it is written "so-and-so led an army"; when the commander is noble and the army is small, only the commander is named; when the commander is lowly and the army is large, it is called "the army"; when the commander is lowly and the army is small, it is called "the people". When the ruler himself leads, "led an army" is not written, in order to record the weightier side.