Chapter 10: 乡党第十 — Lunyu — Taiyi Pavilion Chapter 10: 乡党第十
📖 en
📂 太乙閣📄 第 1 页
Confucius, in his home village, appeared simple and unassuming, as if he were not good at speaking.
But in the ancestral temple and at court, he spoke fluently and with precision, though always with caution.
At court, when speaking with officials of lower rank, he was cordial and at ease; with those of higher rank, he was respectful and composed. When the ruler was present, he was reverent and alert, yet dignified and unhurried.
When summoned by the ruler to receive a guest, his expression would become serious, and his steps quickened. When bowing to those standing beside him, he extended his hands left and right, and the front and back of his robe fell in perfect order. When moving forward swiftly, he was like a bird gliding with wings spread. After the guest departed, he would always report, “The guest has taken leave and no longer looks back.”
Upon entering the ruler’s gate, he would bow low, as if the gate were too small to contain him. He never stood in the middle of the doorway, nor did he step on the threshold when passing. When passing by the ruler’s empty seat, his expression would become serious, his steps quickened, and his speech seemed almost hesitant. Lifting the hem of his robe to ascend the hall, he bowed low, holding his breath as if he were not breathing. When leaving, after descending one step, his expression would relax, becoming calm and cheerful. When he reached the bottom of the steps, he would move forward swiftly, like a bird gliding. Returning to his place, he was again reverent and alert.
When holding the jade tablet of office, he bowed low, as if he could not bear its weight. He held it as if making an offering, raising it no higher than the level of a bow, and lowering it no lower than that of giving something. His expression was solemn and wary, and his steps were short and measured, as if following a line.
During the gift-presenting ceremony, his demeanor was composed. In private audience, he was relaxed and cheerful.
The noble person does not use deep purple or reddish purple for trim, nor does he wear red or purple for casual clothes. In summer, he wears a single layer of fine or coarse linen, but always puts on an outer garment before going out. With a black coat, he wears a lambskin robe; with a white coat, a fawn-skin robe; with a yellow coat, a fox-fur robe. His casual fur robe is long, but the right sleeve is short. He always has a sleeping garment, half again as long as his body. He uses thick fox or badger fur for sitting mats. After the mourning period ends, he wears all his ornaments. Except for ceremonial skirts, all garments are cut to fit. He does not wear a lambskin robe or a black cap when paying a condolence call. On the first day of the month, he always puts on his court robes to go to court.
When fasting, he always wears a clean cloth robe. When fasting, he changes his diet and moves to a different place to sleep.
He did not tire of eating refined grain, nor did he tire of finely cut meat.
He would not eat food that had gone sour or spoiled, fish that had gone bad, or meat that had turned rancid. He would not eat food with a bad color or a bad smell. He would not eat food that was improperly cooked. He would not eat food that was out of season. He would not eat meat that was not cut properly. He would not eat food without the proper sauce.
Even when there was plenty of meat, he did not let it exceed the amount of grain. Only in drinking wine did he have no limit, but he never became confused. He would not buy wine or dried meat from the market. He never removed the ginger from his meals, but he did not eat too much.
When participating in a public sacrifice, he did not keep the meat overnight. Meat from a sacrifice at home was not kept beyond three days. If it went beyond three days, he would not eat it.
He did not talk while eating, nor did he speak while lying down. Even when eating coarse rice or vegetable soup, he would make an offering, and always with solemn reverence. If the mat was not properly arranged, he would not sit on it.
When drinking with fellow villagers, he would leave only after the elders had left. When the villagers performed the exorcism ritual, he would put on his court robes and stand on the eastern steps.
When sending a messenger to inquire after someone in another state, he would bow twice before seeing the messenger off.
When Ji Kangzi sent him a gift of medicine, he bowed and accepted it, but said, “I am not yet familiar with its properties, so I dare not take it.”
When his stable burned down, upon returning from court, he asked, “Was anyone hurt?” He did not ask about the horses.
When the ruler sent him a gift of cooked food, he would always straighten his mat and taste it first. When the ruler sent him raw meat, he would cook it and offer it to the ancestors. When the ruler sent him a live animal, he would keep it.
When dining with the ruler, he would taste the food first before the ruler made his offering. When the ruler was ill and came to visit him, he would lie with his head to the east, drape his court robes over himself, and trail his sash.
When summoned by the ruler, he would set out on foot without waiting for his carriage. When entering the Grand Temple, he would ask about every detail.
When a friend died and had no one to arrange the funeral, he would say, “Let me take care of the burial.”
When a friend gave him a gift, even if it were a carriage or a horse, he would not bow unless it was meat from a sacrifice. When sleeping, he did not lie stiff like a corpse. When at home, he did not assume a formal posture.
When he saw someone wearing mourning clothes, even if it were a close acquaintance, his expression would change. When he saw someone wearing a ceremonial cap or a blind person, even if they were familiar, he would always show proper respect. When riding in a carriage, he would bow to anyone wearing funeral clothes, and also to anyone carrying official documents.
When presented with a lavish feast, his expression would change, and he would rise. When there was a sudden clap of thunder or a violent wind, his expression would change.
When mounting a carriage, he would stand upright and hold the mounting cord. Inside the carriage, he did not look back, did not speak loudly, and did not point.
Suddenly, the birds took flight, circled, and then settled together. He said, “The hen pheasant on the mountain bridge—how timely, how timely!” Zilu offered it to him, but after sniffing it three times, he rose and left.