Therefore, there is nothing that is not in line with the requirements of etiquette when a gentleman does things. As soon as the guests enter, the bells and drums are ringing in unison, which is a sign of welcome. The singer sang the chorus "Qing Temple", which is to express the noble virtue of King Wen; The band played the piece "Elephant" in the hall, which was a great achievement of the martial king. Therefore, the ancient gentlemen wanted to communicate their feelings with each other, and they didn't need to speak at all, as long as they could express their meaning by saluting and playing music.

Confucius said: The so-called etiquette is the truth; Happiness is temperance. The gentleman does not do things that make no sense, and the things that are not temperate = the gentleman does not do them. If you can't pass the words of the Book of Songs, there will be mistakes in etiquette; If you can salute but can't match it with music, the etiquette will be monotonous and dull. If morality is shallow, even the salute is just an empty shelf. Confucius also said: All kinds of systems are prescribed by Lily, and all kinds of rhetorical modifications are also prescribed by Lili, but to implement it, it is necessary for people!

Zigong left the table again and said: May I ask if this person only knows how to have fun and does not know anything about etiquette? Confucius replied, "Are you asking about the ancient Kui?" It must be known that the ancient people called those who were good at etiquette but not pleasure as vegetarian, and those who were good at pleasure but not good at etiquette as partial. Kui is just a higher attainment in music than in etiquette, so only a proficient music sound has been handed down, you must know that it is according to the standards of the ancients.

Zizhang asked how to engage in politics, and Confucius said: Shi (Zizhang Mingshi, the word Zizhang), you go forward, listen to me tell you! When a gentleman engages in politics, he is only proficient in etiquette and music first, and then he puts it into practice. Zizhang didn't seem to understand what Confucius meant, so he continued to ask. Confucius then continued: "Teacher, do you think that it is only a courtesy to lay down a few feasts, ascend to the lower hall, offer wine to eat (zhuàn), and raise a glass to get drunk? Do you think that it is only fun to dangle in position, waving yuè, ringing bells and drums? In fact, if you say it, you can do it, this is etiquette, and when you do it, you can make people feel happy, this is happiness. As long as a gentleman works these two points, he doesn't need to work hard, and the world will be peaceful.

So the princes came to worship, everything got its place, and all the officials fulfilled their duties. Etiquette is valued, and that's why the people are governed; The rite was thrown aside, and that's why the people were in turmoil. For example, there are rooms and stairs in a house, up and down seats, left and right in riding, and a precedence in traveling. This has been the case since ancient times. If there is no division between the chamber and the staircase, the hall and the chamber will be confused. If there is no division between the upper and lower seats, the seats are chaotic; If there is no left and right on the bus, the position on the bus will be confused; If the roads are not in any order, the roads will be chaotic; If there is no order in standing, it will be confusing whose position is where.

In the past, the emperors and princes of the Holy Ming used this method to distinguish between the noble and the low, the eldest and the younger, the far and the near, the male and female, and the inside and outside, so that they did not dare to cross each other. When the three students listened to Confucius's remarks, their hearts suddenly brightened, like a blind man seeing the light again.

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(29) Confucius lived idlely

Confucius rested at home, and Zixia stood beside him. Zixia asked: May I ask what the "Book of Songs" says: "An approachable king is like a parent to the people." "How can we be called parents to the people? Confucius replied: When it comes to the parents of the people, he must know the origin of ritual music, reach the five solstices, achieve the three nones, and use them to spread the whole world; Wherever there was a disaster, he would be the first to know. Only when you have done this can you be regarded as the parents of the people!

Zixia said: What kind of people's parents, students have already understood. Again, what is the meaning of the Five Solstices: Confucius replied: If there is already a heart of love for the people, there will be poems of love for the people; If there is already a song of love for the people, there will be a love for the people; If there is already a love for the people, there will be love for the people. If there is already love for the people, there will be a heart of mourning for the people's misfortune. Sorrow and joy go hand in hand. You can't see this kind of truth when you look at it with your eyes wide open; Hold up your ears and hear, you can't hear; But this thought of the king fills the heavens and the earth. This is called the five solstices.

Zixia said: What is the five solstice, the students have understood. What are the three nos? Confucius replied: Music without sound, mourning without mourning clothes, and etiquette without form. This is called the three nos. Zixia said: What is the three nos, I have generally understood, and then what poem is the meaning of the three nos? Confucius replied: "Sleep all night to seek government, aim at Anbang", this poem is almost a music without sound; "Serene and impeccable", this poem has no formal etiquette in recent times; "When you see others in calamity, do everything possible to help", this poem has no mourning clothes recently.

Zixia said: Your words are too great, so wonderful, and too philosophical! Is that the end of the story? Confucius said: How so? When the gentleman practiced the three nos, there were still five cases. Zixia said: How do you talk about five cases? Confucius said: First, music without sound does not disobey the wishes of the king; There is no formal etiquette, and the attitude of the king is calm; Those who do not mourn in mourning clothes are also very sad when they put themselves in their shoes. Second, music without sound has fulfilled the wish; There is no formal etiquette, the attitude is respectful and respectful; There is no mourning dress, and love extends to all countries in the Quartet.