utmost reverence, the spirits of the departed manifest themselves[1]. Perfect filial piety and fraternal duty reach to (and move) the spiritual intelligences, and diffuse their light on all within the four seas;—they penetrate everywhere.
'It is said in the Book of Poetry[2],
"From the west to the east,
From the south to the north,
There was not a thought but did him homage."'
Chapter XVII. The Service of the Ruler.
The Master said, 'The superior man[3] serves his ruler in such a way, that when at court in his presence his thought is how to discharge his loyal duty to the utmost; and when he retires from it, his thought is how to amend his errors. He carries out with deference the measures springing from his excellent qualities, and rectifies him (only) to save him from what are evil. Hence, as the superior and inferior, they are able to have an affection for each other.
It is said in the Book of Poetry[4],
"In my heart I love him;
And why should I not say so?
In the core of my heart I keep him,
And never will forget him."'
- ↑ The reader will have noticed many instances of this, or what were intended to be instances of it, in the translations from the Shih, pp. 365–368, &c.
- ↑ See the Shih, III, i, ode 10, stanza 6.
- ↑ 'The superior man' here can only be the good and intelligent officer in the royal domain or at a feudal court.
- ↑ See the Shih, II, viii, ode 4, stanza 4.
