Sima Geng



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.

According to the Grand Record of Historians, Sima Geng was known for his eloquence and impatient nature.

The Analects recorded three interactions between him and Confucius the Master:

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.