T'ai-po may be said to have reached the highest point of virtuous action. Thrice he declined the kingdom, and the people, ignorant of his motives, could not express their approbation. Respectfulness without the rules of propriety becomes laborious bustle. Carefulness becomes timidity. Boldness becomes insubordination. Straightforwardness becomes rudeness. When those in high stations perform their duties to their relations, the people are aroused to virtue. When old friends are not neglected, the people are preserved from meanness. Tsang, being ill, has his feet and hands uncovered and cites the verse about thin ice. Now he knows his escape from injury to his person. When a man is about to die, his words are good. Three principles matter for a man of high rank: keep from violence in manner, keep near to sincerity in the countenance, and keep far from lowness in words. Sacrificial vessels have proper officers. Gifted, and yet putting questions to those who were not. Possessed of much, and yet putting questions to those possessed of little. Offended against, and yet entering into no altercation. Entrusted with a young orphan prince and a state of a hundred li, and driven from his principles by no emergency: that man is a superior man indeed. The officer's burden is heavy and his course is long. Perfect virtue is the burden he considers it his to sustain. Only with death does his course stop.
It is by the Odes that the mind is aroused. It is by the Rules of Propriety that the character is established. It is from Music that the finish is received. The people may be made to follow a path of action, but they may not be made to understand it. Though a man have abilities as admirable as those of the Duke of Chau, yet if he be proud and niggardly, those other things are not worth being looked at. With sincere faith he unites the love of learning. He will not enter a tottering state, nor dwell in a disorganised one. When right principles prevail, he will show himself. When they are prostrated, he will keep concealed. When a country is well-governed, poverty and a mean condition are things to be ashamed of. When a country is ill-governed, riches and honour are things to be ashamed of. He who is not in any particular office has nothing to do with plans for the administration of its duties.
Ardent and yet not upright, stupid and yet not attentive, simple and yet not sincere: such persons the Master does not understand. Learn as if you could not reach your object, and were always fearing also lest you should lose it. How majestic was the manner in which Shun and Yu held the empire, as if it were nothing to them. Great indeed was Yao as a sovereign. It is only Heaven that is grand, and only Yao corresponded to it. The people could find no name for his virtue. Talents are difficult to find. King Wan possessed two of the three parts of the empire, and with those he served the dynasty of Yin. The Master can find no flaw in Yu. He used himself coarse food and drink, but displayed the utmost filial piety towards the spirits. His ordinary garments were poor, but he displayed the utmost elegance in his sacrificial cap and apron. He lived in a low mean house, but expended all his strength on the ditches and water-channels.
Coming Up in Chapter 9
The Master seldom spoke of profit, Heaven's appointments, or perfect virtue. Put in fear at K'wang, he says the cause of truth is lodged in him. Standing by a stream he says it passes on like this, not ceasing day or night.
