From all quarters they look to you for an example in ceremonies; let me advise you to be careful in the matter." Зze-sze said, "Of what have I to be careful? I have heard that when there are certain ceremonies to be observed, and he has not the necessary means for them, a superior man does not observe them, and that neither does he do so, when there are the ceremonies, and he has the means, but the time is not suitable; of what have I to be careful[1]?"
9. Hsien-jze So said, "I have heard that the ancients made no diminution (in the degrees of mourning on any other ground); but mourned for every one above and below them according to his relationship. Thus Wân, the earl of Thing, wore the year's mourning for Mǎng-hû, who was his uncle, and the same for Mǎng Phî, whose uncle he was."
10. Hâu Mû said, "I heard Hsien-jze say about the rites of mourning, that (a son) should certainly think deeply and long about them all, and that (for instance) in buying the coffin he should see that, in- side and outside, it be (equally) well completed. When I die, let it be so also with me[2]."
11. Зǎng-ize said, "Until the corpse has its ornaments put on it, they curtain off the hall; and after the slighter dressing the curtain is removed."
Kung-liang-jze said, "Husband and wife are at first all in
- ↑ Зze-sze's mother, after his father's death, had married again into the Shû family of Wei. What mourning was Зze-sze now to wear for her? Liû Zo seems to have apprehended that he would be carried away by his feelings and would do more than was according to rule in such a case. Зze-sze's reply to him is not at all explicit.
- ↑ This record is supposed to be intended to ridicule Hâu Mû for troubling himself as he did.
