"Hanging gourd" alludes to a story of Confucius recorded in the Lunyu, or the Analects. (XVII.7) Zilu, a disciple, citing Confucius' own words that "a junzi (perfected/perfecting man) should not enter the domain of one who in his own person does what is not good," criticized Confucius for agreeing to be summoned by Bi Xi, a man of questionable integrity. Confucius responded to Zilu by saying, "Has it not been said, 'Hard indeed is that which can withstand grinding'? Has it not been said, 'White indeed is that which can withstand black dye'? How can I allow myself to be treated like a gourd which, instead of being eaten, just hang on the vine?"