Ancient China · Duke of Song

Duke Xuan of Song 宋宣公

Song Xuan Gong

Attested BC 729

Passages: 4
Chapters: 1
Histories: 1

Overview

Duke Xuan of Song was a Duke of Song.

Life and dates

Attested activity

BC 729 宋宣公
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 58, passage 190

Family

Immediate relationships attested in the translated histories.

Parent of Son of Duke Xuan of Song (宋宣公之子)
son 子
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 58, passages 191-192
Sibling of Younger Brother of Duke Xuan of Song (宋宣公之弟)
younger brother 弟 · Full siblings
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 58, passage 191

References in the histories

Records of the Grand Historian, Chapter 58House of Prince Xiao of Liang · 4 passages

故春秋所以非宋宣公。 This is why the Spring and Autumn Annals censures Duke Xuan of Song.

宋宣公死，不立子而與弟。 When Duke Xuan of Song died, he did not establish his son but passed the throne to his younger brother.

故春秋曰『君子大居正，宋之禍宣公為之』。 Therefore, the Spring and Autumn Annals declares, 'The gentleman holds fast to what is correct; the calamity that befell Song was brought about by Duke Xuan.'

袁盎等以宋宣公不立正，生禍，禍亂後五世不絕，小不忍害大義狀報太后。 Yuan Ang and the others presented the case of Duke Xuan of Song, who had failed to follow the proper line of succession and thereby brought about a calamity that plagued his state for five generations. They explained to the Empress Dowager how a small indulgence could undermine the greater good.