XVI
The Master standing by a stream, said, “It passes on just like this, not ceasing day or night!”
XVII
The Master said, “I have not seen one who loves virtue as he loves beauty.”
XVIII
The Master said, “The prosecution of learning may be compared to what may happen in raising a mound. If there want but one basket of earth to complete the work, and I stop, the stopping is my own work. It may be compared to throwing down the earth on the level ground. Though but one basketful is thrown at a time, the advancing with it is my own going forward.”
XIX
The Master said, “Never flagging when I set forth anything to him;—ah! that is Hûi.”
XX
The Master said of Yen Yüan, “Alas! I saw his constant advance. I never saw him stop in his progress.”
XXI
The Master said, “There are cases in which the blade springs, but the plant does not go on to flower! There are cases where it flowers, but no fruit is subsequently produced!”
XXII
The Master said, “A youth is to be regarded with respect. How do we know that his future will not be equal to our present? If he reach the age of forty or fifty, and has not made himself heard of, then indeed he will not be worth being regarded with respect.”
XXV
The Master said, “Can men refuse to assent to the words of strict admonition? But it is reforming the conduct because of them which is valuable. Can men refuse to be pleased with words of gentle advice? But it is unfolding their aim which is valuable. If a man be pleased with these words, but does not unfold their aim, and assents to those, but does not reform his conduct, I can really do nothing with him.”
XXIV
The Master said, “Hold faithfulness and sincerity as first principles. Have no friends not equal to yourself. When you have faults, do not fear to abandon them.”
XXV
The Master said, “The commander of the forces of a large state may be carried off, but the will of even a common man cannot be taken from him.”
XXVI
The Master said, “Dressed himself in a tattered robe quilted with hemp, yet standing by the side of men dressed in furs, and not ashamed;—ah! it is Yû who is equal to this!
“He dislikes none, he covets nothing;—what can he do but what is good!”
Tsze-lû kept continually repeating these words of the ode, when the Master said, “Those things are by no means sufficient to constitute (perfect) excellence.”
XXVII
The Master said, “When the year becomes cold, then we know how the pine and the cypress are the last to lose their leaves.”
XXVIII
The Master said, “The wise are free from perplexities; the virtuous from anxiety; and the bold from fear.”
XXIX
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.”
XXX
How the flowers of the aspen-plum flutter and turn! Do I not think of you? But your house is distant.
The Master said, “It is the want of thought about it. How is it distant?”
Book X
Heang Tang
I
Confucius, in his village, looked simple and sincere, and as if he were not able to speak.
When he was in the prince’s ancestorial temple, or in the court, he spoke minutely on every point, but cautiously.
II
When he was waiting at court, in speaking with the great officers of the lower grade, he spake freely, but in a straightforward manner; in speaking with those of the higher grade, he did so blandly, but precisely.
When the ruler was present, his manner displayed respectful uneasiness; it was grave, but self-possessed.
III
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.
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.
He hastened forward, with his arms like the wings of a bird.
When the guest had retired, he would report to the prince, “The visitor is not turning round any more.”
IV
When he entered the palace gate, he seemed to bend his body, as if it were not sufficient to admit him.
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.
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.
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.
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 to 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.
