Book 3: The Eight Rows of Dancers

Book 3: The Eight Rows of Dancers

Commentary

Chapter 3.1

The Master said of the Ji clan: "They have eight rows of dancers performing in their courtyard. If this can be tolerated, what cannot be tolerated?"

Chapter 3.2

The three families used the song Yong when removing the sacrificial vessels. The Master said, "'The princes assist in reverent grace; the Son of Heaven, solemn and awe-inspiring.' What application do these words have in the halls of the three families?"

Chapter 3.3

The Master said: "A man who is not humane—what has he to do with ritual? A man who is not humane—what has he to do with music?"

Chapter 3.4

Lin Fang asked about the root of ritual. The Master said: "A great question! In ritual, rather than extravagance, prefer simplicity; in mourning, rather than composure, prefer genuine grief."

Chapter 3.5

The Master said: "The barbarian tribes with their rulers are inferior to the various Chinese states without them."

Chapter 3.6

The Ji clan made offerings on Mount Tai. The Master said to Ran You: "Are you unable to prevent this?" He replied: "I cannot." The Master said: "Alas! Would you say that the spirit of Mount Tai does not understand ritual as well as Lin Fang?"

Chapter 3.7

The Master said: "The gentleman contends with no one. Yet if he must contend, is it not in archery? He bows and yields as he ascends, descends and drinks the forfeit. Even in competing, he is a gentleman."

Chapter 3.8

Zi Xia asked: "'How lovely her dimpling smile! How beautiful her eyes, well defined! The plain ground for the colors.' What does this mean?" The Master said: "The painting comes after the plain ground." Zi Xia said: "Then ritual comes after?" The Master said: "It is Shang who gives me insight. Now I can begin to discuss the Odes with him."

Chapter 3.9

The Master said: "The rituals of Xia I can describe, but Qi does not provide sufficient evidence. The rituals of Yin I can describe, but Song does not provide sufficient evidence. This is because the documents and worthy men are insufficient. Had they been sufficient, I could verify my account."

Chapter 3.10

The Master said: "From the libation onward in the Di sacrifice, I have no wish to watch."

Chapter 3.11

Someone asked about the theory of the Di sacrifice. The Master said: "I do not know. One who understood its theory would deal with the world as easily as pointing to this." He pointed to his palm.

Chapter 3.12

He sacrificed to the spirits as if the spirits were present. He sacrificed to the gods as if the gods were present. The Master said: "If I do not participate in the sacrifice personally, it is as if I had not sacrificed at all."

Chapter 3.13

Wang Sun Jia asked: "'Rather than flatter the southwest corner, flatter the kitchen hearth.' What does this mean?" The Master said: "Not so. If one offends against Heaven, there is nowhere to pray."

Chapter 3.14

The Master said: "The Zhou dynasty surveyed the two preceding dynasties. How splendid and rich its culture is! I follow the Zhou."

Chapter 3.15

The Master entered the Grand Ancestral Temple and asked about everything. Someone said: "Who said that the man from Zou knew the rituals? On entering the Grand Ancestral Temple, he asked about everything." When the Master heard this, he said: "This is precisely the ritual."

Chapter 3.16

The Master said: "Archery does not emphasize piercing the leather, since strengths differ. This was the Way of the ancients."

Chapter 3.17

Zi Gong wished to do away with the sheep offered at the new moon announcement. The Master said: "Ci! You love the sheep; I love the ritual."

Chapter 3.18

The Master said: "To serve one's lord with complete ritual propriety—others take this as flattery."

Chapter 3.19

Duke Ding asked: "How should a lord employ his minister, and how should a minister serve his lord?" The Master replied: "Let the lord employ his minister according to ritual; let the minister serve his lord with loyalty."

Chapter 3.20

The Master said: "The Guanju—joyful but not licentious, sorrowful but not injurious."

Chapter 3.21

Duke Ai asked Zai Wo about the altar to the soil. Zai Wo replied: "The Xia dynasty used pine; the Yin used cypress; the Zhou used chestnut, saying: 'To make the people tremble and fear.'" When the Master heard this, he said: "What is done need not be explained; what is accomplished need not be criticized; what is past need not be blamed."

Chapter 3.22

The Master said: "How narrow was the capacity of Guan Zhong!" Someone said: "Was Guan Zhong frugal?" The Master said: "Guan had three treasuries; his officials were not combined in duties—how could he be called frugal?" "Then did Guan Zhong understand ritual?" The Master said: "The lord of a state planted a screen at his gate; Guan also planted a screen at his gate. The lord of a state, when receiving a visit from another lord, had a stand for the exchange of cups; Guan also had such a stand. If Guan Zhong understood ritual, who does not?"

Chapter 3.23

The Master discussed music with the Grand Music Master of Lu, saying: "Music may be understood in this way. At the beginning, it rises in a swelling harmony. Continuing, it becomes pure, distinct, and flowing. Thus it is completed."

Chapter 3.24

The border warden of Yi requested an audience, saying: "Whenever gentlemen of worth have come here, I have never failed to see them." The followers arranged an audience. When he came out, he said: "Why should you gentlemen be distressed about the loss of office? The Way has long prevailed under Heaven. Heaven will make the Master a wooden bell."

Chapter 3.25

The Master said of the Shao: "Perfect in beauty, and perfect in goodness." He said of the Wu: "Perfect in beauty, but not perfect in goodness."

Chapter 3.26

The Master said: "To occupy a high position without generosity, to perform ritual without reverence, to approach mourning without grief—how can I bear to witness such things?"