Book VIII. Lî Khî.
Book VII, it was said, has been attributed to 𝖅ze-yû. I have not seen this ascribed to any one; but it is certainly a sequel to the other, and may be considered as having proceeded from the same author. The more the two are studied together, the more likely will this appear.
Callery has not attempted to translate the title, and says that the two characters composing it give the sense of "Utensils of Rites," and have no plausible relation with the scope of«the Book in which there is no question in any way of the material employed either in sacrifices or in other ceremonies; and he contends, therefore, that they should not be translated, but simply be considered as sounds[1].
But the rendering which I have given is in accordance with an acknowledged usage of the second character, Khî We read in the Confucian Analects, V, 3:—'𝖅ze-kung asked, "What do you say of me?" The Master answered, "You are a vessel" "What vessel?" "A sacrificial vessel of jade."' The object of the Book is to show how ceremonial usages or rites go to form "the vessel of honour", "the superior man," who is equal to the most difficult and important services. Kǎng Hsüan saw this clearly, and said, "The Book was named Lî Khî" because it records how ceremonies cause men to become perfect vessels." "The former Book shows the evolution of Rites; this shows the use of them:"—such was the dictum in A.D. 1113 of Fang Küeh, a commentator often quoted by Khǎn Hâo and by the Khien-lung editors.
Throughout the Book it is mostly religious rites that are spoken of; especially as culminating in the worship of God. And nothing is more fully brought out than that all rites are valueless without truth and reverence.
- ↑ 禮 器.
