________________
THE LI KI
OR
COLLECTION OF TREATISES ON THE RULES OF PROPRIETY OR CEREMONIAL USAGES.
INTRODUCTION.
CHAPTER I. THREE DIFFERENT LÎ KING, OR RITUAL BOOKS, AC
KNOWLEDGED IN CHINA. THE RECOVERY OF THE FIRST TWO, AND FORMATION OF THE THIRD,
UNDER THE HAN DYNASTY. 1. Confucius said, 'It is by the Odes that the mind is aroused ; by the Rules of Propriety that the character is How Confucins established; from Music that the finish is spoke of the Lf. received 1.' On another occasion he said, Without the Rules of Propriety, respectfulness becomes laborious bustle; carefulness, timidity; boldness, insubor. dination, and straightforwardness, rudeness 1.'
These are two specimens of the manner in which Confucius expressed himself. about the Li, the Rules of Propriety or Ceremonial Usages, recognised in his time. It is a natural inference from his language that there were Collections of such Rules which could be read and studied; but he does not expressly say so.
The language of Mencius was more definite. In at least two passages of his works we find the usual form of quota
How Mencius tion Li Yüeh, 'The Li says?,' which, acspoke of them. cording to the analogy of Shih Yüeh, 'The Shih King, or Book of Poetry, says,' might be rendered,
1 Confucian Analects, Book VIII, 8 and 2.
• Works of Mencius, II, Part ii, 1. 5; III, Part ii, 3. 3. [27]
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