Text of Confucianism Part 01

SR No.: 007675
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: James Legge
Publisher: Oxford
Publication Year: 1879
Total Pages: 2829
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 50 MB

Page 1905

BK. XXVII.
FANG XI.
287
and yet the people will try to obtain more than is due to their years. When one's mat has been spread for him in a high place, he may move and take his seat on a lower; and yet the people will try to occupy the place due to rank. From the high place due to him at court one may in his humility move to a meaner place; and yet the people shall be intrusive even in the presence of the ruler. As it is said in the Book of Poetry (II, vii, ode 9, 4), “When men in disputations fine
To hear their consciences refuse, Then 'gainst each other they repine,
And each maintains his special views. If one a place of rank obtain,
And scorn humility to show, The others view him with disdain,
And, wrangling, all to ruin go.”' 9. The Master said, 'The superior man exalts others and abases himself; he gives the first place to others and takes the last himself ;-and thus the people are taught to be humble and yielding. Thus when he is speaking of the ruler of another state, he calls him “ The Ruler;" but when mentioning his own ruler, he calls him “Our ruler of little virtue."
10. The Master said, 'When advantages and rewards are given to the dead first", and to the living afterwards, the people will not act contrarily to the (character of) the dead. When (the 'ruler) places those who are exiles (from and for their state) first, and those who remain in it last, the people may be
The memory of the dead would be honoured, and titles given to them, while those they left behind would be supported.
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