'He who (thus) serves his parents, in a high situation, will be free from pride; in a low situation, will be free from insubordination; and among his equals, will not be quarrelsome. In a high situation pride leads to ruin; in a low situation insubordination leads to punishment; among equals quarrelsomeness leads to the wielding of weapons.
'If those three things be not put away, though a son every day contribute beef, mutton, and pork[1] to nourish his parents, he is not filial.'
Chapter XI. Filial Piety in Relation to the Five Punishments.
The Master said, 'There are three thousand offences against which the five punishments are directed[2], and there is not one of them greater than being unfilial.
'When constraint is put upon a ruler, that is the disowning of his superiority; when the authority of the sages is disallowed, that is the disowning of (all) law; when filial piety is put aside, that is the disowning of the principle of affection. These (three things) pave the way to anarchy.'
Chapter XII. Amplification of 'the All-embracing Rule of Conduct' in Chapter I.
The Master said, 'For teaching the people to be affectionate and loving there is nothing better than Filial Piety; for teaching them (the observance of) propriety and submissiveness there is nothing better than Fraternal Duty; for changing their manners
- ↑ Compare with this the Confucian Analects, II, vii.
- ↑ See the Shû, p. 43, and especially pp. 255, 256.
