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286
THE LÎ ki.
BK. XXVII.
The Khun Khid does not mention the funeral rites for the kings of Khu and Yüeh. According to the rules, the ruler of a state is not spoken of as “Heaven's," and a Great officer is not spoken of as "a ruler;"-lest the people should be led astray. It is said in the ode, "Look at (that bird) which in the night calls out for
the morning?." Even this is still occasion for being dissatisfied with it.'
6. The Master said, ' A ruler does not ride in the same carriage with those of the same surname with himself; and when riding with those of a different surname, he wears a different dress ;-to show the people that they should avoid what may give rise to suspicion. This was intended to guard the people (from incurring suspicion), and yet they found that there were those of the same surname who murdered their ruler?'
7. The Master said, “The superior man will decline a position of high honour, but not one that is mean; and riches, but not poverty. In this way confusion and disorder will more and more disappear. Hence the superior man, rather than have his emoluments superior to his worth, will have his worth superior to his emoluments.'
8. The Master said, 'In the matter of a cup of liquor and a dish of meat, one may forego his claim and receive that which is less than his due ;
1 This is from one of the old pieces, which have been forgotten and lost. Is the bird alluded to the cock ? and where is the point of the reference ?
· The Khien-lung editors labour in vain to make this paragraph clear, and say that it is an error of errors' to ascribe it to Confucius.
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