Chapter 3: 八佾第三 — Lunyu — Taiyi Pavilion Chapter 3: 八佾第三
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Confucius said of the Ji family, “They use the eight rows of dancers in their courtyard. If this can be tolerated, what cannot be tolerated?” The three noble families used the Yong ode at the removal of the sacrificial offerings. Confucius said, “‘Assisted by the princes, the Son of Heaven stands solemn and majestic’—what relevance does this have in the halls of the three families?” Confucius said, “If a person is not humane, what can they do with ritual? If a person is not humane, what can they do with music?” Lin Fang asked about the foundation of ritual. Confucius said, “An excellent question! In ritual, it is better to be frugal than extravagant; in mourning, it is better to be deeply sorrowful than meticulously formal.”
Confucius said, “The barbarian tribes with their rulers are not as good as the Chinese states without them.”
The Ji family was going to perform the sacrifice on Mount Tai. Confucius said to Ran You, “Can you not stop them?” He replied, “I cannot.” Confucius said, “Alas! Do you mean to say that Mount Tai is less discerning than Lin Fang?” Confucius said, “The noble person has nothing to contend over. If there must be contention, it is in archery! They bow and yield as they ascend, then drink together after descending. Such contention is worthy of a noble person.”
Zi Xia asked, “What is the meaning of ‘Her clever smile, so charming; her beautiful eyes, so clear; plain silk that becomes colorful’?” Confucius said, “The painting comes after the plain background.” Zi Xia said, “Then ritual comes after?” Confucius said, “Shang, you have inspired me. Now I can begin to discuss the Book of Songs with you.”
Confucius said, “I can speak of the rites of the Xia dynasty, but the state of Qi cannot provide sufficient evidence; I can speak of the rites of the Yin dynasty, but the state of Song cannot provide sufficient evidence. This is due to a lack of records and learned men. If there were enough, I could verify them.”
Confucius said, “As for the di sacrifice, from the moment the libation is poured, I have no desire to watch it.”
Someone asked about the meaning of the di sacrifice. Confucius said, “I do not know. One who understands its meaning could handle the affairs of the world as easily as this—” and he pointed to his palm.
He sacrificed to the ancestors as if they were present; he sacrificed to the spirits as if the spirits were present. Confucius said, “If I do not personally participate in the sacrifice, it is as if I did not sacrifice at all.”
Wang Sun Jia asked, “What is the meaning of the saying, ‘It is better to pay homage to the stove than to the southwest corner of the house’?” Confucius said, “Not so! If you offend Heaven, there is no one to pray to.”
Confucius said, “The Zhou dynasty looked back to the two preceding dynasties. How rich and refined its culture is! I follow the Zhou.”
When Confucius entered the Grand Temple, he asked about everything. Someone said, “Who says that the son of the man from Zou understands ritual? When he enters the Grand Temple, he asks about everything.” When Confucius heard this, he said, “This itself is ritual.”
Confucius said, “In archery, the point is not to pierce the hide, because strength varies. This is the ancient way.”
Zi Gong wanted to do away with the sacrificial sheep at the announcement of the new moon. Confucius said, “Ci, you love the sheep; I love the ritual.”
Confucius said, “To serve one’s ruler with complete ritual is considered by others to be flattery.”
Duke Ding asked, “How should a ruler employ his ministers, and how should a minister serve his ruler?” Confucius replied, “The ruler employs his ministers with ritual; the minister serves his ruler with loyalty.”
Confucius said, “The Guan Ju poem is joyful without being excessive, sorrowful without being harmful.”
Duke Ai asked Zai Wo about the altar to the earth god. Zai Wo replied, “The Xia dynasty used pine, the Yin dynasty used cypress, and the Zhou dynasty used chestnut wood, meaning to make the people tremble.” When Confucius heard this, he said, “What is done need not be explained, what is finished need not be criticized, and what is past need not be blamed.”
Confucius said, “Guan Zhong was a man of small capacity!” Someone said, “Was Guan Zhong frugal?” Confucius said, “Guan Zhong had three residences, and his officials held multiple posts without specialization—how can he be called frugal?” “Then did Guan Zhong understand ritual?” Confucius said, “Rulers of states erect screen gates; Guan Zhong also erected a screen gate. Rulers of states, when hosting other rulers, have a stand for empty cups; Guan Zhong also had such a stand. If Guan Zhong understood ritual, who does not understand ritual?”
Confucius told the Grand Music Master of Lu about music, saying, “Music can be understood: when it begins, it bursts forth in harmony; as it unfolds, it becomes pure, clear, and continuous, until it is complete.”
The border official of Yi requested an audience, saying, “Whenever a noble person has come here, I have never failed to see them.” The followers presented him. After coming out, he said, “Why are you worried about losing your positions? The world has been without the Way for a long time. Heaven is about to use your master as a wooden clapper bell.”
Confucius said of the Shao music, “It is perfectly beautiful and perfectly good.” Of the Wu music, he said, “It is perfectly beautiful, but not perfectly good.”
Confucius said, “When those in high positions are not generous, when they perform ritual without reverence, when they attend mourning without sorrow—how can I bear to look at them?”