in doubt, while you speak cautiously at the same time of the others:—then you will afford few occasions for blame. See much and put aside the things which seem perilous, while you are cautious at the same time in carrying the others into practice:—then you will have few occasions for repentance. When one gives few occasions for blame in his words, and few occasions for repentance in his conduct, he is in the way to get emolument.’
Chapter XIX
The Duke Ai asked, saying, ‘What should be done in order to secure the submission of the people?’ Confucius replied, ‘Advance the upright and set aside the crooked, then the people will submit. Advance the crooked and set aside the upright, then the people will not submit.’
Chapter XX
Chi K’ang asked how to cause the people to reverence their ruler, to be faithful to him, and to go on to nerve themselves to virtue. The Master said, ‘Let him preside over them with gravity;—then they will reverence him. Let him be filial and kind to all;—then they will be faithful to him. Let him advance the good and teach the incompetent;—then they will eagerly seek to be virtuous.’
Chapter XXI
1. Some one addressed Confucius, saying, ‘Sir, why are you not engaged in the government?’
2. The Master said, ‘What does the Shu-ching say of filial piety?—“You are filial, you discharge your brotherly duties. These qualities are displayed in government.” This then also constitutes the exercise of government. Why must there be That—making one be in the government?’
Chapter XXII
The Master said, ‘I do not know how a man without truthfulness is to get on. How can a large carriage be made to go without the cross-bar for yoking the oxen to, or a small carriage without the arrangement for yoking the horses?’
Chapter XXIII
1. Tsze-chang asked whether the affairs of ten ages after could be known.
2. Confucius said, ‘The Yin dynasty followed the regulations of the Hsia: wherein it took from or added to them may be known. The Chau dynasty has followed the regulations of Yin: wherein it took from or added to them may be known. Some other may follow the Chau, but though it should be at the distance of a hundred ages, its affairs may be known.’
Chapter XXIV
1. The Master said, ‘For a man to sacrifice to a spirit which does not belong to him is flattery.
2. ‘To see what is right and not to do it is want of courage.’
BOOK III: PA YIH.
Chapter I
Confucius said of the head of the Chi family, who had eight rows of pantomimes in his area, ‘If he can bear to do this, what may he not bear to do?’
Chapter II
The three families used the Yung ode, while the vessels were being removed, at the conclusion of the sacrifice. The Master said, ‘“Assisting are the princes;—the son of heaven looks profound and grave:”—what application can these words have in the hall of the three families?’
Chapter III
The Master said, ‘If a man be without the virtues proper to humanity, what has he to do with the rites of propriety? If a man be without the virtues proper to humanity, what has he to do with music?’
Chapter IV
1. Lin Fang asked what was the first thing to be attended to in ceremonies.
2. The Master said, ‘A great question indeed!
3. ‘In festive ceremonies, it is better to be sparing than extravagant.
In the ceremonies of mourning, it is better that there be deep sorrow than a minute attention to observances.’
Chapter V
The Master said, ‘The rude tribes of the east and north have their princes, and are not like the States of our great land which are without them.’
Chapter VI
The chief of the Chi family was about to sacrifice to the T’ai mountain. The Master said to Zan Yu, ‘Can you not save him from this?’ He answered, ‘I cannot.’ Confucius said, ‘Alas! will you say that the T’ai mountain is not so discerning as Lin Fang?’
Chapter VII
The Master said, ‘The student of virtue has no contentions. If it be said he cannot avoid them, shall this be in archery? But he bows complaisantly to his competitors; thus he ascends the hall, descends, and exacts the forfeit of drinking. In his contention, he is still the Chun-tsze.’
Chapter VIII
1. Tsze-hsia asked, saying, ‘What is the meaning of the passage—“The pretty dimples of her artful smile! The well-defined black and white of her eye! The plain ground for the colours?”’
2. The Master said, ‘The business of laying on the colours follows (the preparation of) the plain ground.’
3. ‘Ceremonies then are a subsequent thing?’ The Master said, ‘It is Shang who can bring out my meaning. Now I can begin to talk about the odes with him.’
Chapter IX
The Master said, ‘I could describe the ceremonies of the Hsia dynasty, but Chi cannot sufficiently attest my words. I could describe the ceremonies of the Yin dynasty, but Sung cannot sufficiently attest my words. (They cannot do so) because of the insufficiency of their records and wise men. If those were sufficient, I could adduce them in support of my words.’
Chapter X
The Master said, ‘At the great sacrifice, after the pouring out of the libation, I have no wish to look on.’
Chapter XI
Some one asked the meaning of the great sacrifice. The Master said, ‘I do not know. He who knew its meaning would find it as easy to govern the kingdom as to look on this;—pointing to his palm.
Chapter XII
1. He sacrificed to the dead, as if they were present. He sacrificed to the spirits, as if the spirits were present.
2. The Master said, ‘I consider my not being present at the sacrifice, as if I did not sacrifice.’
Chapter XIII
1. Wang-sun Chia asked, saying, ‘What is the meaning of the saying, “It is better to pay court to the furnace than to the south-west corner?”’
2. The Master said, ‘Not so. He who offends against Heaven has none to whom he can pray.’
Chapter XIV
The Master said, ‘Chau had the advantage of viewing the two past dynasties. How complete and elegant are its regulations! I follow Chau.’
Chapter XV
The Master, when he entered the grand temple, asked about everything. Some