The Analects Chapter 10
Confucius, in his village, looked simple and sincere, and as if hewere not able to speak.
When he was in the prince's ancestral temple, or in the court, hespoke minutely on every point, but cautiously.
When he was waiting at court, in speaking with the great officersof the lower grade, he spoke1 freely, but in a straightforward2 manner;in speaking with those of the higher grade, he did so blandly3, butprecisely.
When the ruler was present, his manner displayed respectful uneasiness;it was grave, but self-possessed.
When the prince called him to employ him in the reception of a visitor,his countenance4 appeared to change, and his legs to move forward withdifficulty.
He inclined himself to the other officers among whom he stood, movinghis left or right arm, as their position required, but keeping theskirts of his robe before and behind evenly adjusted.
He hastened forward, with his arms like the wings of a bird.
When the guest had retired5, he would report to the prince, "The visitoris not turning round any more."When he entered the palace gate, he seemed to bend his body, as ifit were not sufficient to admit him.
When he was standing6, 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 countenanceappeared to change, and his legs to bend under him, and his wordscame as if he hardly had breath to utter them.
He ascended7 the reception hall, holding up his robe with both hishands, and his body bent8; holding in his breath also, as if he darednot breathe.
When he came out from the audience, as soon as he had descended9 onestep, he began to relax his countenance, and had a satisfied look.
When he had got the bottom of the steps, he advanced rapidly to hisplace, with his arms like wings, and on occupying it, his manner stillshowed respectful uneasiness.
When he was carrying the scepter of his ruler, he seemed to bend hisbody, as if he were not able to bear its weight. He did not hold ithigher than the position of the hands in making a bow, nor lower thantheir position in giving anything to another. His countenance seemedto change, and look apprehensive10, and he dragged his feet along asif they were held by something to the ground.
In presenting the presents with which he was charged, he wore a placidappearance.
At his private audience, he looked highly pleased.
The superior man did not use a deep purple, or a puce color, in theornaments of his dress.
Even in his undress, he did not wear anything of a red or reddishcolor.
In warm weather, he had a single garment either of coarse or finetexture, but he wore it displayed over an inner garment.
Over lamb's fur he wore a garment of black; over fawn's fur one ofwhite; and over fox's fur one of yellow.
The fur robe of his undress was long, with the right sleeve short.
He required his sleeping dress to be half as long again as his body.
When staying at home, he used thick furs of the fox or the badger11.
When he put off mourning, he wore all the appendages12 of the girdle.
His undergarment, except when it was required to be of the curtainshape, was made of silk cut narrow above and wide below.
He did not wear lamb's fur or a black cap on a visit of condolence.
On the first day of the month he put on his court robes, and presentedhimself at court.
When fasting, he thought it necessary to have his clothes brightlyclean and made of linen13 cloth.
When fasting, he thought it necessary to change his food, and alsoto change the place where he commonly sat in the apartment.
He did not dislike to have his rice finely cleaned, nor to have hismince meat cut quite small.
He did not eat rice which had been injured by heat or damp and turnedsour, nor fish or flesh which was gone. He did not eat what was discolored,or what was of a bad flavor, nor anything which was ill-cooked, orwas not in season.
He did not eat meat which was not cut properly, nor what was servedwithout its proper sauce.
Though there might be a large quantity of meat, he would not allowwhat he took to exceed the due proportion for the rice. It was onlyin wine that he laid down no limit for himself, but he did not allowhimself to be confused by it.
He did not partake of wine and dried meat bought in the market.
He was never without ginger14 when he ate. He did not eat much.
When he had been assisting at the prince's sacrifice, he did not keepthe flesh which he received overnight. The flesh of his family sacrificehe did not keep over three days. If kept over three days, people couldnot eat it.
When eating, he did not converse15. When in bed, he did not speak.
Although his food might be coarse rice and vegetable soup, he wouldoffer a little of it in sacrifice with a grave, respectful air.