Text of Confucianism Part 02

SR No.: 007676
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: James Legge
Publisher: Oxford
Publication Year: 1882
Total Pages: 2405
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 43 MB

Page 361

334
THE APPENDIXES.
SECT. IL.
LIV. (The trigram representing the waters of) a marsh and over it that for thunder form Kwei Mei.
The superior man, in accordance with this, having regard to the far-distant end, knows the mischief (that may be done at the beginning).
1. “The younger sister is married off in a position ancillary to that of the real wife:'-it is the constant practice (for such a case).
* Lame on one leg, she is able to tramp along:she can render helpful service.
2. There will be advantage in maintaining the firm correctness of a solitary widow:'-(the subject of
branches and twigs gradually becoming long. Every morning and every evening show some difference; and when the tree is high and great, whether it be of an ordinary or extraordinary size, it has taken years to reach its dimensions. This illustrates the difference between the advance in Shăng (46) and that in Kien. Then the maintenance of extraordinary virtue in the application and the improvement of manners is a gradual process. The improvement of the manners, moreover, flows from the maintenance of the extraordinary virtue; which implies also a gradual operation and progress.'
Paragraph 1. The danger is the result of circumstances; the small officer has not brought it on himself.
Paragraph 2. Only the geese appear in this paragraph; but the writer is thinking of the advancing officer. I cannot but think that in the language and sentiment also there is an echo of the Shih King, I, ix, ode 6.
The 'separation from his comrades' has respect to line 3 not finding its correlate in 6. The wife's failing in her proper course has respect to the line being undivided and not in the centre.
Khăng-zze says, on paragraph 4, that humility and right-doing will find rest and peace in all places and circumstances.
Paragraph 5. The natural issue cannot be prevented :'-the wife will have a child ; minister and ruler will meet happily.
Paragraph 6. See on the Text. But it is difficult to see the aptness of the symbolism.
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