The Sayings of Confucius. Confucius

as if those whom he worshipped were before him; he worshipped the spirits as if they were before him.

      The Master said: For me, to take no part in the sacrifice is the same as not sacrificing.

      13. Wang-sun Chia[30] said, What is the meaning of, It is better to court the hearth-god than the god of the home?

      Not so, said the Master. A sin against Heaven leaves no room for prayer.

      14. The Master said, Chou[31] looks back on two lines of kings. How rich, how rich it is in art! I follow Chou.

      15. On going into the Great Temple the Master asked about everything.

      One said, Who says that the Tsou man's son knows the rites? On going into the Great Temple he asked about everything.

      When he heard this, the Master said, Such is the rite.

      16. The Master said, In shooting, the arrow need not go right through the target, for men are not the same in strength. This was the old rule.

      17. Tzu-kung wished to do away with the sheep offering at the new moon.

      The Master said, Thou lovest the sheep, Tz'u: I love the rite.

      18. The Master said: Serve the king with all courtesy, men call it fawning.

      19. Duke Ting asked how a lord should treat his lieges, and how lieges should serve their lord.

      Confucius answered, The lord should treat his lieges with courtesy; lieges should serve their lord faithfully.

      20. The Master said, The poem The Osprey is glad, but not wanton; it is sad, but not morbid.

      21. Duke Ai asked Tsai Wo about the earth-altars.

      Tsai Wo answered, The Emperors of the house of Hsia grew firs round them; the men of Yin grew cypress; the men of Chou grew chestnut, which was to say, Let the people tremble.[32]

      On hearing this, the Master said, I do not speak of what is ended, chide what is settled, or find fault with what is past.[33]

      22. The Master said, How shallow was Kuan Chung!

      But, said one, was not Kuan Chung thrifty?

      The Kuan, said the Master, owned San Kuei, and no one of his household held two posts: was that thrift?

      At least Kuan Chung knew good form.

      The Master said, Kings screen their gates with trees; the Kuan, too, had trees to screen his gate. When two kings are carousing, they have a stand for the turned-down cups; the Kuan had a turned-down cup-stand, too! If the Kuan knew good form, who does not know good form?[34]

      23. The Master said to the Great Master[35] of Lu, We can learn how to play music; at first each part in unison; then a swell of harmony, each part distinct, rolling on to the finish.

      24. The warden of Yi asked to see Confucius, saying, No gentleman has ever come here whom I have failed to see.

      The followers took him in.

      On leaving he said, My two-three boys, why lament your fall? The Way has long been lost below heaven! Now Heaven shall make the Master into a warning bell.

      25. The Master said of the music of Shao, It is thoroughly beautiful, and thoroughly good, too. Of the music of Wu, he said, It is thoroughly beautiful, but not thoroughly good.

      26. The Master said, Rank without beauty; ceremony without reverence; mourning without grief, why should I cast them a glance?