Book X

Confucius appeared simple and sincere in his village, presenting himself as someone who did not speak much.

When in the prince's ancestral temple or court, Confucius spoke with detailed knowledge on all points but exercised caution.

Confucius spoke freely but straightforwardly to lower-grade officers, and blandly but precisely to higher-grade officers.

When in the ruler's presence, Confucius displayed respectful uneasiness while maintaining a grave but self-possessed demeanor.

When summoned to receive a visitor, Confucius changed his countenance, moved his legs with difficulty, and adjusted his body and robe with careful attention.

Confucius hastened forward with his arms positioned like a bird's wings in a gesture of deference.

After the guest departed, Confucius reported to the prince that the visitor was no longer turning around.

When entering the palace gate, Confucius bent his body as if it would not fit through the opening.

When standing or passing through gates, Confucius avoided occupying the center and did not step on the threshold.

When passing the prince's vacant place, Confucius changed his countenance, his legs bent, and he spoke as if barely able to breathe.

Confucius ascended the reception hall while holding his robe, bending his body, and holding his breath as if not daring to breathe.

After descending one step from the audience, Confucius relaxed his expression and appeared satisfied; at the bottom he moved rapidly with arms like wings.

While carrying the ruler's scepter, Confucius bent his body as if unable to bear its weight, held it at the proper height, and dragged his feet.

When presenting gifts as the ruler's representative, Confucius wore a placid and composed appearance.

During private audiences with the ruler, Confucius appeared highly pleased.

The superior man does not use deep purple or puce colors in his dress ornaments.

Even in undress, the superior man avoids wearing red or reddish colored garments.

In warm weather, the superior man wears a single garment of either coarse or fine texture, displayed over an inner garment.

The superior man wears black garments over lamb's fur, white over fawn's fur, and yellow over fox's fur.

The superior man's undress fur robe is long with the right sleeve short.

The superior man's sleeping dress is made half as long again as his body length.

When staying at home, the superior man uses thick furs of fox or badger.

When putting off mourning clothes, the superior man wears all the appendages of the girdle.

The superior man's undergarment, except when required to be of curtain shape, is made of silk cut narrow above and wide below.

The superior man does not wear lamb's fur or a black cap when making a visit of condolence.

On the first day of the month, the superior man puts on his court robes and presents himself at court.

When fasting, Confucius required his clothes to be brightly clean and made of linen cloth.

When fasting, Confucius changed both his food and his usual seating place in the apartment.

Confucius had no objection to finely cleaned rice or finely minced meat.

Confucius would not eat rice damaged by heat or damp that had turned sour, nor spoiled fish or flesh.

Confucius would not eat discolored food, food with bad flavor, improperly cooked food, or food not in season.

Confucius would not eat meat that was not cut properly or meat served without its proper sauce.

Though meat might be abundant, Confucius ensured his portion of meat did not exceed the proper proportion for rice.

Confucius placed no limit on wine consumption but did not allow himself to become confused by it.

Confucius did not partake of wine and dried meat purchased from the market.

Confucius was never without ginger when eating.

Confucius did not eat much.

Confucius did not keep overnight the flesh from the prince's sacrifice, and kept family sacrifice flesh for no more than three days.

When eating, Confucius did not converse; when in bed, he did not speak.

Even with coarse rice and vegetable soup, Confucius would offer a portion in sacrifice with a grave and respectful air.

Confucius would not sit on a mat unless it was straight.

When villagers were drinking together, Confucius departed when those carrying staffs departed.

When villagers performed ceremonies to drive away pestilential influences, Confucius put on his court robes and stood on the eastern steps.

When sending complimentary inquiries to someone in another state, Confucius bowed twice while escorting the messenger away.

When Chi K'ang sent Confucius a gift of medicine, Confucius bowed in receipt but said he did not know it and dared not taste it.

When the stable burned down while Confucius was at court, upon returning he asked only if any person was hurt, not about the horses.

When the prince sent Confucius cooked meat, he would adjust his mat, taste it first, and distribute it to others.

When the prince sent Confucius undressed meat, he would have it cooked and offer it to the spirits of his ancestors.

When the prince sent Confucius a living animal, he would keep it alive.

When attending the prince's entertainment, Confucius would first taste everything while the prince performed the sacrifice.

When ill and visited by the prince, Confucius positioned his head to the east and had his court robes spread over him with his girdle fastened.

When called by the prince's order, Confucius went at once without waiting for his carriage to be yoked.

When entering the ancestral temple of the state, Confucius asked about everything.

When a friend died without relations to perform the necessary offices, Confucius would offer to bury him.

When a friend sent Confucius a present, even a carriage and horses, he did not bow.

Confucius only bowed in receipt of the flesh of sacrifice as a gift.

In bed, Confucius did not lie like a corpse; at home, he did not adopt formal deportment.

When seeing anyone in mourning dress, though an acquaintance, Confucius would change his countenance.

When seeing anyone wearing full dress cap or a blind person, Confucius would salute them ceremoniously even if in undress himself.

To anyone in mourning, Confucius would bow forward to the carriage crossbar; he gave the same bow to those bearing population tables.

When at an entertainment with abundant provisions before him, Confucius would change countenance and rise up.

On sudden thunder or violent wind, Confucius would change his countenance in reverence.

When about to mount his carriage, Confucius would stand straight while holding the cord.

When in the carriage, Confucius did not turn his head fully, did not talk hastily, and did not point with his hands.

The hen-pheasant's countenance rises immediately and flies around before settling.

Confucius observed a hen-pheasant on the hill bridge and remarked 'At its season! At its season!' while Tsze-lu attempted to approach it.