ne--this is
abandonment of virtue."

"Ah, the low-minded creatures!" he exclaimed. "How is it possible indeed
to serve one's prince in their company? Before they have got what they
wanted they are all anxiety to get it, and after they have got it they
are all anxiety lest they should lose it; and while they are thus full
of concern lest they should lose it, there is no length to which they
will not go."

Again, "In olden times people had three moral infirmities; which, it may
be, are now unknown. Ambitiousness in those olden days showed itself in
momentary outburst; the ambitiousness of to-day runs riot. Austerity in
those days had its sharp angles; in these it is irritable and perverse.
Feebleness of intellect then was at least straightforward; in our day it
is never aught but deceitful."

Again, "Rarely do we find mutual good feeling where there is fine speech
and studied mien."

Again, "To me it is abhorrent that purple color should be made to
detract from that of vermilion. Also that the Odes of Ch'ing should be
allowed to introduce discord in connection with the music of the Festal
Songs and Hymns. Also that sharp-whetted tongues should be permitted to
subvert governments."

Once said he, "Would that I could dispense with speech!"

"Sir," said Tsz-kung, "if you were never to speak, what should your
pupils have to hand down from you?"

"Does Heaven ever speak?" said the Master. "The four seasons come and
go, and all creatures live and grow. Does Heaven indeed speak?"

Once Ju Pi desired an interview with Confucius, from which the latter
excused himself on the score of ill-health; but while the attendant was
passing out through the doorway with the message he took his lute and
sang, in such a way as to let him hear him.

Tsai Wo questioned him respecting the three years' mourning, saying that
one full twelve-month was a long time--that, if gentlemen were for three
years to cease from observing rules of propriety, propriety must
certainly suffer, and that if for three years they neglected music,
music must certainly die out--and that seeing nature has taught us that
when the old year's grain is finished the new has sprung up for
us--seeing also that all the changes[32] in procuring fire by friction
have been gone through in the four seasons--surely a twelve-month might
suffice.

The Master asked him, "Would it be a satisfaction to you--that returning
to better food, that putting on of fine clothes?"

"I