Wai Gong asked: What does it mean to achieve oneself? Confucius replied: Nothing wrong is called self-achievement. Wai Gong asked again: May I ask why the gentleman attaches so much importance to the way of heaven? Confucius replied: Valuing it is like the sun and the moon never ceases to rise in the east and set in the west, this is the way of heaven. Valuing its unhindered opening and maintaining permanence, this is the way of heaven. Valuing its inaction and making all things come true is the way of heaven. Valuing it is clear that everything is done and understood, and this is the way of heaven.

Wai Gong said: The widow is stupid, this is what you know in your heart, so please give me more advice. When Confucius heard this, he hurriedly left his seat and said ashamedly: "Whoever is benevolent does not make mistakes, and filial sons do not make mistakes." Therefore, a benevolent person honors his parents as he honors God. Loving God is like loving one's parents, so filial piety can achieve oneself. Wai Gong said: The widow is very happy to hear your high remarks, but I am worried about what to do if I make a mistake again in the future? Confucius replied, "What a blessing you are as a courtier to be able to say such things!"

(28) Zhongni Yanju

Confucius sat at home, Zizhang, Zigong, and Ziyou stood aside, and talked about etiquette when talking casually. Confucius said, "All three of you sit down, and I will tell you what etiquette is, so that you can use it everywhere and popularize it everywhere." Zigong immediately left his seat and replied, "May I ask what kind of etiquette the teacher wants to talk about?" Confucius replied: "If you are respectful but do not conform to the requirements of propriety, that is called rudeness; Although the appearance is deferential, but it is not in line with the requirements of etiquette, that is called rhetoric; Although brave but not in accordance with the requirements of propriety, that is called chaos.

Confucius added: Rhetoric is only a semblance of kindness. Confucius also said: The teacher often does too much, but the merchant often does not do enough, and the son is like the mother of the people, who can feed the people, but does not know how to educate them. Zigong immediately left the seat and said, "How can I do it just right?" Confucius said: There is only courtesy! Etiquette is used to master the heat so that people can do it just right.

Zigong retreated, and Ziyou stepped forward again and asked: May I ask if the role of etiquette is to control ugliness and protect good and beautiful? Confucius said: Yes. Ziyou then asked: How to deal with ugliness and protect the good and beautiful? Confucius replied: The ritual of suburban heaven and earth sacrifice is to show benevolence to ghosts and gods; The gift of tasting summer in autumn is to show benevolence to one's ancestors; The ritual of feeding and memorial is to show mercy to the deceased; The ritual of township shooting and township drinking is to show benevolence to the township party; The gift of food is to show kindness to the guests.

Confucius went on to say: If you understand the meaning of the suburbs to sacrifice to the heavens and the earth, and taste the summer ritual in autumn, then you will have a good idea of how to govern the country, just like pointing and drawing on the palm of your hand with your fingers. Therefore, because there is etiquette in daily life, there is a difference between the elders and the younger generations; Because there is a courtesy in the house, the three generations of grandparents and grandchildren will be harmonious; Because there is a courtesy above the court, the official title is orderly; Because there is a courtesy when hunting in the field, military training is skillful; Because there is courtesy in the army, the purpose of the battle is achieved.

Because of the ceremony, the construction of the palace will conform to the system, the manufacture of the measuring tripod will not lose proportion, the five flavors will have their own time, the performance of the music will be consistent with the identity and occasion, the construction of the vehicle will be in accordance with the regulations, the ghosts and gods will be given the required sacrifices, the funeral will be done properly, the explanation of things will not deviate from the topic, the functions of the hundred officials will be complementary and confused, and the various decrees can be implemented; If a person can take the gift and practice it and never forget it, then he will do everything just right.

Confucius said: What is etiquette? Etiquette is the way to do things. A gentleman must have something to do, then he must have a way to do things, and to govern the country without courtesy, it is like walking without an assistant in a box, confused and confused and not knowing where to go; It's like spending the night in a dark room looking for something, and what can you see without a torch? If there is no etiquette, you will not know where to put your hands and feet, your ears will not know what to hear, your eyes will not know what to see, and you will be confused when you should advance or retreat in social situations.

In this way, there is no difference between the elders and the younger generation in daily life, the three generations within the family have also lost harmony, the officials in the court are also chaotic, there is no plan for field hunting and military training, there are no rules for fighting and fighting, the five flavors and the four seasons are chaotic, the music is blown indiscriminately, the manufacture of vehicles is not in accordance with the rules, the specifications of the sacrifice to ghosts and gods are disordered, the funeral is not like a funeral, the explanation of the problem is thousands of miles away, the duties of the hundred officials are confused, and the government decree is not implemented; In this case, if you practice it yourself and never forget it, you will have problems lifting your hands and feet. In this way, it will be impossible to lead and unite the people.

Confucius said, "Listen carefully, three of you!" I tell you that, in addition to the above rites, there are nine programs of the rites, and the feast of the feast accounts for four of them. If you know this, even if you are a farmer who cultivates kudzu and walks according to etiquette, you can be said to be a saint. When the kings of the two countries meet, the guests and hosts enter the gate one after another. As soon as you enter the gate, the bells and drums are ringing. After the ascension to the hall, the first offering is completed, and the sound of bells and drums stops. At this time, the wind orchestra in the hall played the music "Elephant", and the dance of "Dawu" and "Daxia" danced one after another.

So the delicacies were displayed, the proper liturgy and music were arranged, and the deacons were not lacking. After doing so, it is not difficult for the guests to see the host's affection for the guests. In addition, walking is straight, which meets the requirements of a curved ruler; The radian of rotation meets the requirements of the compass; The bell on the car, in line with the rhythm of the music of "Cai Qi"; When the guests go out, the farewell song "Zhen Yu" is played; When the seat was withdrawn, the ending song of "Yong" was played.