A man once asked a disciple of Confucius, saying, "How was it that whenever the Master came into a country he was always informed of the actual state and policy of its government? Did he seek for the information or was it given to him?"

Tzu-ch’in asked Tzu-kung, "When the Master arrives in a state, he invariably gets to know about its government. Does he seek this information? or is it given him?"

Ziqin said to Zigong, "When our Master arrives in a fresh country he always manages to find out about its policy. Does he do this by asking questions, or do people tell him of their own accord?"

Ziqin asked Zigong: "When the Master arrives in a particular state and needs to learn how it is being governed, does he seek out this information or is it offered to him?"

Chee-khum enquiring of Chee-koong, says, The Master, arriving in this country, will hear of its affairs: Will he enquire (of the ruler) or the reverse?