The Analects
Book 10 · In the Home Village
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In the Home Village · 10.1
In his home community, Confucius was modest and deferential, as though unable to speak. In the ancestral temple and at court, he spoke fluently, but always with care.
In the Home Village · 10.2
At court, when speaking with lower-ranking great officers, he was open and at ease; when speaking with higher-ranking great officers, he was respectful yet forthright. In the ruler's presence, he was attentive and reverent, while remaining composed.
In the Home Village · 10.3
When the ruler summoned him to receive a guest, his expression became solemn and his steps quick. Bowing to those standing with him, he moved his hands to the left and right, and his robe hung smoothly before and behind. As he hastened forward, he seemed to glide like a bird with outstretched wings. When the guest withdrew, he always reported back, saying, “The guest is no longer looking back.”
In the Home Village · 10.4
When entering the ruler's gate, he bent forward as though there were not room enough for him. He did not stand in the middle of the gateway or tread on the threshold. Passing the ruler's place, his expression became solemn, his steps quick, and his speech hesitant. Lifting the hem of his robe to ascend the hall, he bent forward and held his breath as though not breathing.
On coming out and descending one step, he relaxed his expression and looked at ease. Having reached the foot of the steps, he hastened forward as though on wings. Returning to his place, he again became attentive and reverent.
In the Home Village · 10.5
When holding the jade tablet, he bent forward as though unable to bear its weight. He raised it as though bowing and lowered it as though handing it over. His expression was solemn as though in fear, and his short steps seemed to follow a line. At the presentation of gifts, his manner was dignified; at a private audience, he was relaxed and cheerful.
In the Home Village · 10.6
The exemplary person did not use dark blue or dark red for trimming, nor red or purple for everyday clothing. In hot weather, he wore a single layer of fine or coarse hemp cloth, but put an outer garment over it when going out.
He wore black clothing with lambskin, white clothing with fawnskin, and yellow clothing with fox fur. His everyday fur robe was long, but had a short right sleeve. His sleeping covering was one and a half times his body's length. Thick fox and badger furs were worn at home.
Once mourning was over, he wore the appropriate pendants without restriction. Except for a wraparound skirt, his garments were cut and shaped. He did not wear a lambskin robe and dark ceremonial cap to offer condolences. On the first day of the month, he always dressed in court clothing and attended court.
In the Home Village · 10.7
For ritual purification, he always had a clean linen garment. During purification, he changed his food and always moved to a different seat or place of rest.
In the Home Village · 10.8
He preferred rice finely prepared and raw fish or meat finely sliced. He did not eat rice that had soured, fish that had spoiled, or meat that had gone bad. He did not eat food whose color or smell was bad, that was improperly cooked, or that was not ripe at the proper season. He did not eat meat cut improperly or served without the fitting sauce. Even when there was much meat, he did not let it exceed the amount of grain.
Only wine had no fixed limit, but he never drank to the point of disorder. He did not consume wine or dried meat bought in the market. He did not remove ginger from his meals, and he did not eat to excess.
Meat received from sacrifice at the ruler's court was not kept overnight. Sacrificial meat at home was not kept more than three days; after three days, he did not eat it. While eating, he did not converse; when lying down to sleep, he did not speak. Even with coarse food and vegetable soup, he first set aside an offering and always did so with reverence.
In the Home Village · 10.9
He did not sit unless the mat was properly aligned.
In the Home Village · 10.10
At a community drinking ceremony, he left only after the elders carrying staffs had departed. When the community performed the exorcism rite, he stood in court dress on the eastern steps.
In the Home Village · 10.11
When sending greetings to someone in another state, he bowed twice as he sent the messenger away. When Kangzi sent him medicine, he bowed and received it, but said, “I, Qiu, do not understand this medicine and do not dare taste it.”
In the Home Village · 10.12
The stable burned down. On returning from court, the Master asked, “Was anyone hurt?” He did not ask about the horses.
In the Home Village · 10.13
When the ruler sent cooked food, he always straightened his mat and tasted it first. When the ruler sent raw meat, he had it cooked and offered it to his ancestors. When the ruler sent a live animal, he kept it alive.
When attending the ruler at a meal, he ate first while the ruler made the preliminary offering. When he was ill and the ruler visited, he lay with his head toward the east, his court robe laid over him and his great sash trailing. When the ruler commanded his presence, he set out without waiting for the carriage to be harnessed.
In the Home Village · 10.14
When entering the grand ancestral temple, he asked about everything.
In the Home Village · 10.15
When a friend died with no one to take responsibility, he said, “Let the body lie in state at my home.” For gifts from friends, even carriages and horses, he did not bow, unless the gift was sacrificial meat.
In the Home Village · 10.16
When sleeping, he did not lie rigidly like a corpse; at home, he did not maintain a formal ceremonial manner. When he saw someone in mourning, even a familiar acquaintance, he changed his expression. When he saw someone wearing a ceremonial cap or someone blind, even in an informal encounter, he treated the person with proper courtesy.
From his carriage, he leaned forward over the front rail in respect to those in mourning, and likewise to those carrying state registers. When presented with a sumptuous meal, he always became solemn and rose. At sudden thunder or violent wind, he always changed his expression and became serious.
In the Home Village · 10.17
When mounting a carriage, he always stood upright and took hold of the mounting cord. In the carriage, he did not turn to look behind, speak hastily, or point directly with his hand.
In the Home Village · 10.18
At a change in people's expression, the bird flew up; after circling, it settled. He said, “The hen pheasant on the mountain bridge—how timely, how timely!” Zilu had it prepared and served. The Master smelled it three times and then rose.
The ending follows Xing's interpretation, also adopted in the Chinese reading edition. The passage may contain a gap. Other readings take the final phrase as describing the pheasant calling or spreading its wings, rather than the Master smelling the food; the received wording does not settle the matter beyond dispute.
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