329

"He dislikes none, he covets nothing;-what can he do but what is good!"

330

Tsze-lu kept continually repeating these words of the ode, when the Master said, "Those things are by no means sufficient to constitute perfect excellence."

331

The Master said, "When the year becomes cold, then we know how the pine and the cypress are the last to lose their leaves."

332

The Master said, "The wise are free from perplexities; the virtuous from anxiety; and the bold from fear."

333

The Master said, "There are some with whom we may study in common, but we shall find them unable to go along with us to principles. Perhaps we may go on with them to principles, but we shall find them unable to get established in those along with us. Or if we may get so established along with them, we shall find them unable to weigh occurring events along with us."

334

"How the flowers of the aspen-plum flutter and turn! Do I not think of you? But your house is distant."

335

The Master said, "It is the want of thought about it. How is it distant?"

336

Confucius, in his village, looked simple and sincere, and as if he were not able to speak.

337

When he was in the prince's ancestral temple, or in the court, he spoke minutely on every point, but cautiously.

338

When he was waiting at court, in speaking with the great officers of the lower grade, he spoke freely, but in a straightforward manner; in speaking with those of the higher grade, he did so blandly, but precisely.

339

When the ruler was present, his manner displayed respectful uneasiness; it was grave, but self-possessed.

340

When the prince called him to employ him in the reception of a visitor, his countenance appeared to change, and his legs to move forward with difficulty.

341

He inclined himself to the other officers among whom he stood, moving his left or right arm, as their position required, but keeping the skirts of his robe before and behind evenly adjusted.

342

He hastened forward, with his arms like the wings of a bird.

343

When the guest had retired, he would report to the prince, "The visitor is not turning round any more."

344

When he entered the palace gate, he seemed to bend his body, as if it were not sufficient to admit him.

345

When he was standing, he did not occupy the middle of the gateway; when he passed in or out, he did not tread upon the threshold.

346

When he was passing the vacant place of the prince, his countenance appeared to change, and his legs to bend under him, and his words came as if he hardly had breath to utter them.

347

He ascended the reception hall, holding up his robe with both his hands, and his body bent; holding in his breath also, as if he dared not breathe.

348

When he came out from the audience, as soon as he had descended one step, he began to relax his countenance, and had a satisfied look. When he had got the bottom of the steps, he advanced rapidly to his place, with his arms like wings, and on occupying it, his manner still showed respectful uneasiness.

349

When he was carrying the scepter of his ruler, he seemed to bend his body, as if he were not able to bear its weight. He did not hold it higher than the position of the hands in making a bow, nor lower than their position in giving anything to another. His countenance seemed to change, and look apprehensive, and he dragged his feet along as if they were held by something to the ground.

350

In presenting the presents with which he was charged, he wore a placid appearance.

351

At his private audience, he looked highly pleased.

352

The superior man did not use a deep purple, or a puce color, in the ornaments of his dress.

353

Even in his undress, he did not wear anything of a red or reddish color.

354

In warm weather, he had a single garment either of coarse or fine texture, but he wore it displayed over an inner garment.

355

Over lamb's fur he wore a garment of black; over fawn's fur one of white; and over fox's fur one of yellow.

356

The fur robe of his undress was long, with the right sleeve short.

357

He required his sleeping dress to be half as long again as his body.

358

When staying at home, he used thick furs of the fox or the badger.

359

When he put off mourning, he wore all the appendages of the girdle.

360

His undergarment, except when it was required to be of the curtain shape, was made of silk cut narrow above and wide below.

361

He did not wear lamb's fur or a black cap on a visit of condolence.

362

On the first day of the month he put on his court robes, and presented himself at court.

363

When fasting, he thought it necessary to have his clothes brightly clean and made of linen cloth.

364

When fasting, he thought it necessary to change his food, and also to change the place where he commonly sat in the apartment.

365

He did not dislike to have his rice finely cleaned, nor to have his mince meat cut quite small.

366

He did not eat rice which had been injured by heat or damp and turned sour, nor fish or flesh which was gone. He did not eat what was discolored, or what was of a bad flavor, nor anything which was ill-cooked, or was not in season.

367

He did not eat meat which was not cut properly, nor what was served without its proper sauce.

368

Though there might be a large quantity of meat, he would not allow what he took to exceed the due proportion for the rice. It was only in wine that he laid down no limit for himself, but he did not allow himself to be confused by it.

369

He did not partake of wine and dried meat bought in the market.