hey will show him respect; let him be seen to be good to his own
parents, and kindly in disposition, and they will be loyal to him;
let him promote those who have ability, and see to the instruction of
those who have it not, and they will be willing to be led."

Some one, speaking to Confucius, inquired, "Why, sir, are you not an
administrator of government?" The Master rejoined, "What says the
'Book of the Annals,' with reference to filial duty?--'Make it a point
to be dutiful to your parents and amicable with your brethren; the
same duties extend to an administrator.' If these, then, also make an
administrator, how am I to take your words about being an administrator?"

On one occasion the Master remarked, "I know not what men are good
for, on whose word no reliance can be placed. How should your
carriages, large or little, get along without your whipple-trees or
swing-trees?"

Tsz-chang asked if it were possible to forecast the state of the
country ten generations hence. The Master replied in this manner: "The
Yin dynasty adopted the rules and manners of the Hia line of kings,
and it is possible to tell whether it retrograded or advanced. The
Chow line has followed the Yin, adopting its ways, and whether there
has been deterioration or improvement may also be determined. Some
other line may take up in turn those of Chow; and supposing even this
process to go on for a hundred generations, the result may be known."

Other sayings of the Master:--

"It is but flattery to make sacrificial offerings to departed spirits
not belonging to one's own family.

"It is moral cowardice to leave undone what one perceives to be right
to do."

[Footnote 2: Of Lu (Confucius's native State).]

[Footnote 3: Head of one of the "Three Families" of Lu.]

BOOK III

_Abuse of Proprieties in Ceremonial and Music_

Alluding to the head of the Ki family,[4] and the eight lines of
posturers[5] before their ancestral hall, Confucius remarked, "If the
Ki can allow himself to go to this extent, to what extent will he not
allow himself to go?"

The Three Families[6] were in the habit, during the Removal of the
sacred vessels after sacrifice, of using the hymn commencing

"Harmoniously the Princes
Draw near with reverent tread,
Assisting in his worship
Heaven's Son, the great and dread."

"How," exclaimed the Master, "can such words be appropriated in the
ancestral hall of the Three Families?"

"Where