1. Formerly Kung-nî was present as one of the guests at the Kâ sacrifice[2]; and when it was over, he went out and walked backwards and forwards on the terrace over the gate of Proclamations[3], looking sad and sighing. What made him sigh was the state of Lû[4]. Yen Yen was by his side, and said to him, "Master, what are you sighing about?" Confucius replied, "I never saw the practice of the Grand course[5], and the eminent men of the three dynasties[6]; but I have my object (in harmony with theirs).
2. When the Grand course was pursued, a public and common spirit ruled all under the sky; they
- ↑ See the introduction, pages 23, 24.
- ↑ Offered in the end of the year, in thanksgiving for all the crops that had been reaped. See in Book IX, ii, paragraphs 9, 10.
- ↑ The gateway where illustrated copies of the laws and punishments were suspended. It belonged of right only to the royal palace, but it was among the things which Lû had usurped, or was privileged to use.
- ↑ As usurping royal rites, and in disorder.
- ↑ This sounds Tâoistic. It is explained of the time of the five Tîs.
- ↑ The founders of the Hsiâ, Shang, and Kâu, and their great ministers.
