BOOK XXV. KUNG-NÎ YEN KÜ

OR

KUNG-NÎ AT HOME AT EASE[1].

1. Kung-nî 'being at home at ease[1],' with Dze-kung, Dze-kung, and Yen Yû by him, their conversation went on from general matters to the subject of ceremonies.

2. The Master said, 'Sit down[2], you three, and I will discourse to you about ceremonies, so that you may rightly employ them everywhere and in all circumstances.'

3. Dze-kung crossed over (Dze-kang's) mat[3], and replied, 'Allow me to ask what you mean.' The Master said, 'Respect shown without observing the rules of propriety is called vulgarity; courtesy without observing those rules is called forwardness; and boldness without observing them is called violence.' The Master added, 'Forwardness takes away from gentleness and benevolence.'

4. The Master said, 'Sze, you err by excess, and Shang by defect.' Dze-khan might be regarded as a