During the Spring and Autumn period, when Confucius fell ill, his students came to visit him. Confucius observed them carefully.

He believed that Min Ziqian was outwardly gentle but inwardly firm, while Ran You and Zigong were somewhat lacking in gentleness but abundant in uprightness; all of them could protect themselves. However, Zilu, being unyielding and rigidly upright, would not come to a good end in the future.

So, with deep affection, Confucius earnestly advised Zilu to remain calm in difficult situations and never act recklessly.