Chinese Literature | Page 9

the chief.]
[Footnote 7: One of the five sacred mountains, worshipped upon only
by the sovereign.]
[Footnote 8: Tsou was Confucius's birthplace; his father was governor
of the town.]
[Footnote 9: A renowned statesman who flourished about two hundred
years before Confucius's time. A philosophical work on law and

government, said to have been written by him, is still extant. He was
regarded as a sage by the people, but he lacked, in Confucius's eyes, the
one thing needful--propriety.]

BOOK IV
Social Virtue--Superior and Inferior Man
Sayings of the Master:--
"It is social good feeling that gives charm to a neighborhood. And
where is the wisdom of those who choose an abode where it does not
abide?
"Those who are without it cannot abide long, either in straitened or in
happy circumstances. Those who possess it find contentment in it.
Those who are wise go after it as men go after gain.
"Only they in whom it exists can have right likings and dislikings for
others.
"Where the will is set upon it, there will be no room for malpractices.
"Riches and honor are what men desire; but if they arrive at them by
improper ways, they should not continue to hold them. Poverty and low
estate are what men dislike; but if they arrive at such a condition by
improper ways, they should not refuse it.
"If the 'superior man' make nought of social good feeling, how shall he
fully bear that name?
"Not even whilst he eats his meal will the 'superior man' forget what he
owes to his fellow-men. Even in hurried leave-takings, even in
moments of frantic confusion, he keeps true to this virtue.
"I have not yet seen a lover of philanthropy, nor a hater of
misanthropy--such, that the former did not take occasion to magnify

that virtue in himself, and that the latter, in his positive practice of
philanthropy, did not, at times, allow in his presence something
savoring of misanthropy.
"Say you, is there any one who is able for one whole day to apply the
energy of his mind to this virtue? Well, I have not seen any one whose
energy was not equal to it. It may be there are such, but I have never
met with them.
"The faults of individuals are peculiar to their particular class and
surroundings; and it is by observing their faults that one comes to
understand the condition of their good feelings towards their fellows.
"One may hear the right way in the morning, and at evening die.
"The scholar who is intent upon learning the right way, and who is yet
ashamed of poor attire and poor food, is not worthy of being discoursed
with.
"The masterly man's attitude to the world is not exclusively this or that:
whatsoever is right, to that he will be a party.
"The masterly man has an eye to virtue, the common man, to earthly
things; the former has an eye to penalties for error--the latter, to favor.
"Where there is habitual going after gain, there is much ill-will.
"When there is ability in a ruler to govern a country by adhering to the
Rules of Propriety, and by kindly condescension, what is wanted more?
Where the ability to govern thus is wanting, what has such a ruler to do
with the Rules of Propriety?
"One should not be greatly concerned at not being in office; but rather
about the requirements in one's self for such a standing. Neither should
one be so much concerned at being unknown; but rather with seeking to
become worthy of being known."
Addressing his disciple Tsang Sin, the Master said, "Tsang Sin, the

principles which I inculcate have one main idea upon which they all
hang." "Aye, surely," he replied.
When the Master was gone out the other disciples asked what was the
purport of this remark. Tsang's answer was, "The principles of our
Master's teaching are these--whole-heartedness and kindly forbearance;
these and nothing more."
Other observations of the Master:--
"Men of loftier mind manifest themselves in their equitable dealings;
small-minded men in their going after gain.
"When you meet with men of worth, think how you may attain to their
level; when you see others of an opposite character, look within, and
examine yourself.
"A son, in ministering to his parents, may (on occasion) offer gentle
remonstrances; when he sees that their will is not to heed such, he
should nevertheless still continue to show them reverent respect, never
obstinacy; and if he have to suffer, let him do so without murmuring.
"Whilst the parents are still living, he should not wander far; or, if a
wanderer, he should at least have some fixed address.
"If for three years he do not veer from the principles of his father, he
may be called