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PT. III. SECT. VII.
THE WRITINGS OF KWANG-BZE.
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his legs apart, laid his hand on his sword, and with glaring eyes and a voice like the growl of a nursing tigress, said, 'Come forwards, Khių. If what you say be in accordance with my mind, you shall live; but, if it be contrary to it, you shall die.' Confucius replied, I have heard that everywhere under the sky there are three (most excellent) qualities. To be naturally tall and large, to be elegant and handsome without a peer, so that young and old, noble and mean, are pleased to look upon him ;—this is the highest of those qualities. To comprehend both heaven and earth in his wisdom, and to be able to speak eloquently on all subjects ;—this is the middle one of them. To be brave and courageous, resolute and daring, gathering the multitudes round him, and leading on his troops ;—this is the lowest of them. Whoever possesses one of these qualities is fit to stand with his face to the south !, and style himself a Prince. But you, General, unite in yourself all the three. Your person is eight cubits and two inches in height; there is a brightness about your face and a light in your eyes; your lips look as if stained with vermilion ; your teeth are like rows of precious shells; your voice is attuned to the musical tubes, and yet you are named “The Robber Kih.” I am ashamed of you, General, and cannot approve of you. If you are inclined to listen to me, I should like to go as your commissioner to Wu and Yüeh in the south; to Khi and Lù in the north; to Sung and Wei in the east; and to Zin and Khù in the west. I will get them to build for you a great city several hundred li in size, to
1 To take the position of a ruler in his court.
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