Sima Geng (?-?), courtesy name Zi Niu, son of Xiang Luo, is one of Confucius's seventy-two disciples. He was referred as Sima Niu in the Analects. He was a noble of the State of Song. In 481 BCE, his elder brother Sima Huan Tui controlled the state government. Disapproving of his brother's actions, Sima Niu relinquished his fief and left Song for Qi. Later, Sima Huan Tui and other brothers rebelled and upon failure, fled to Qi as well. Upon hearing of this, Sima Niu immediately left Qi for the State of Wu, vowing never to serve the same ruler as his brothers. In Wu, he received invitations to become an official from Zhao Jianzi of Jin and Chen Chengzi of Qi, but he declined both. Eventually, Sima Geng died outside the city gates of Lu.
Sima Niu asked about humanity. The Master said: “He who practices humanity is reluctant to speak.” The other said: “Reluctant to speak? And you call that humanity?” The Master said: “When the practice of something is difficult, how could one speak about it lightly?
—Simon Leys (2014)
问君子，子曰：“君子不忧不惧。”曰：“不忧不惧，斯可谓之君子乎？”子曰：“内省不疚，夫何忧何惧！
Sima Niu asked: “What is a gentleman?” The Master said: “A gentleman is without grief and without fear.” Sima Niu said: “Without grief and without fear? And that makes a gentleman?” The Master said: “His conscience is without reproach. Why should he grieve, what should he fear?”
Sima Niu was grieving: “All men have brothers; I alone have none.” Zixia said: “I have heard this: life and death are decreed by fate, riches and honors are allotted by Heaven. Since a gentleman behaves with reverence and diligence, treating people with deference and courtesy, all within the Four Seas are his brothers. How could a gentleman ever complain that he has no brothers?”
In the 27th year of Emperor Xuanzong of Tang's Kaiyuan era (739), Sima Geng was posthumously titled Xiang Bo. In the second year of Emperor Zhenzong of Song's Dazhong Xiangfu era (1009), Sima Geng was posthumously titled Marquis of Chuqiu. In the third year of Emperor Duzong of Song's Xianchun era (1267), Sima Geng was also honored during the sacrifices to Confucius as Marquis of Suiyang.
↑ Confucius (2014). Nylan, Michael (ed.). The analects: the Simon Leys translation, interpretations. Translated by Leys, Simon. New York, NY: W. W. Norton. ISBN978-0-393-91195-4.
Confucius, born Kong Qiu (孔丘), was a Chinese philosopher of the Spring and Autumn period who is traditionally considered the paragon of Chinese sages, as well as the first teacher in China to advocate for mass education. Much of the shared cultural heritage of the Sinosphere originates in the philosophy and teachings of Confucius. His philosophical teachings, called Confucianism, emphasized personal and governmental morality, harmonious social relationships, righteousness, kindness, sincerity, and a ruler's responsibilities to lead by virtue.
The Spring and Autumn period in Chinese history lasted approximately from 770 to 481 BCE which corresponds roughly to the first half of the Eastern Zhou period. The period's name derives from the Spring and Autumn Annals, a chronicle of the state of Lu between 722 and 481 BCE, which tradition associates with Confucius.
The Analects, also known as the Sayings of Confucius, is an ancient Chinese philosophical text composed of sayings and ideas attributed to Confucius and his contemporaries, traditionally believed to have been compiled by his followers. The consensus among scholars is that large portions of the text were composed during the Warring States period (475–221 BC), and that the work achieved its final form during the mid-Han dynasty. During the early Han, the Analects was merely considered to be a commentary on the Five Classics. However, by the dynasty's end the status of the Analects had grown to being among the central texts of Confucianism.
According to Sima Qian, Confucius said: "The disciples who received my instructions, and could themselves comprehend them, were seventy-seven individuals. They were all scholars of extraordinary ability." It was traditionally believed that Confucius had three thousand students, but that only 72 mastered what he taught. The following is a list of students who have been identified as Confucius's followers. Very little is known of most of Confucius's students, but some of them are mentioned in the Analects of Confucius. Many of their biographies are recorded in the Sima Qian's Shiji. The Six Arts were practiced by the 72 disciples.
Song was an ancient Chinese state during the Zhou dynasty with its capital at Shangqiu. The state was founded soon after King Wu of Zhou conquered the Shang dynasty to establish the Zhou dynasty in 1046 BC. It was conquered by the state of Qi in 286 BC, during the Warring States period. Confucius is traditionally considered to have been a descendant of a Song nobleman who moved to the state of Lu.
Wang Xiang, courtesy name Xiuzheng, was a Chinese politician who lived through the late Eastern Han dynasty (25–220), the Three Kingdoms period (220–280), and the early Western Jin dynasty (266–316) of China. He served in the highest positions in the government, including Minister of Works (司空) and Grand Commandant (太尉) in the Cao Wei state during the Three Kingdoms period, and Grand Protector (太保) during the Western Jin dynasty. He was also one of The Twenty-four Filial Exemplars.
Duke Xiang of Qi was from 697 to 686 BC the fourteenth recorded ruler of the State of Qi, a major power during the Spring and Autumn period of ancient China. His personal name was Lü Zhu'er (呂諸兒), ancestral name Jiang, and Duke Xiang was his posthumous title.
Ran Qiu, also known by his courtesy name Ziyou and as Ran You, was a leading disciple of Confucius. Among Confucius's disciples, he was the foremost in terms of ability and accomplishment in statesmanship. As a military commander of the State of Lu, he repelled an invasion from the neighbouring State of Qi. His influence in Lu facilitated the return of Confucius to his native state after fourteen years of exile.
Zai Yu, also known by his courtesy name Ziwo and as Zai Wo, was a prominent disciple of Confucius, known for his gift in speech. However, Confucius severely criticized him for proposing to shorten the three-year mourning period after the death of a parent.
Duanmu Ci, also known by his courtesy name Zigong, was a Chinese businessman, philosopher, and politician. He was one of the most important and loyal disciples of Confucius. Among Confucius' students, he was the second best at speech, after only Zai Yu. He was a prominent diplomat of the Spring and Autumn period who served as a high official in several states, and was a very wealthy businessman.
Zhuansun Shi, commonly known by his courtesy name Zizhang, was a prominent disciple of Confucius, who accompanied Confucius in his travels abroad, and later started his own sect of Confucianism.
Nangong Kuo, commonly known as Nan Rong and also known by his courtesy name Zirong and as Nangong Tao, was a major disciple of Confucius. Commending Nangong Kuo as a gentleman of virtue, Confucius gave the student his niece in marriage.
Tantai Mieming or Dantai Mieming, also known by his courtesy name Ziyu, was a major disciple of Confucius. He was known for being very ugly, but was morally upright. He started his own school in the Yangtze River region, and became a major transmitter of Confucian thoughts. Confucius initially misjudged him because of his bad looks, but later expressed his regret.
Yuan Xian, courtesy name Zisi or Yuan Si, was a Chinese philosopher who was a major disciple of Confucius. Classic Chinese sources stated he was modest and incorruptible, and adhered strictly to the teachings of Confucius despite living in abject poverty.
Gongye Chang, courtesy name Zichang, was a major disciple and the son-in-law of Confucius. Little is known about his life, but Chinese legends attribute to him the ability to understand birds' language.
Gongxi Ai, courtesy name Jici, was a disciple of Confucius. Sima Zhen's Shiji Suoyin says his name was Gongxi Ke, citing the Kongzi Jiayu.
Yan Wuyou, courtesy name Lu (路), also known as Yan Lu, was a Chinese philosopher. He was one of the earliest disciples of Confucius. He was the father of Yan Hui, Confucius' favourite disciple.
Shang Qu, courtesy name Zimu, was a disciple of Confucius. He studied the I Ching from Confucius, and is credited with the preservation and transmission of the classic.
Gao Chai, courtesy name Zigao, was one of the major disciples of Confucius. Confucius considered him unintelligent because he was very short and ugly, but he served capably in the governments of the states of Lu and Wey.
Qidiao Kai, courtesy name Zikai or Ziruo, was a major disciple of Confucius. He declined to take government office, but started his own school, which developed into one of the eight branches of Confucianism identified by Han Fei. His work, known as the Qidiaozi, has been lost.
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