let its head get buried in the earth. When one of the horses of the ruler's carriage dies, it is buried in a curtain (in good condition)[1]."
21. When the mother of Kî-sun died, duke Âi paid a visit of condolence to him. (Soon after) 𝖅ǎng-𝖟ze and 𝖅ze-kung arrived for the same purpose; but the porter declined to admit them, because the ruler was present. On this they went into the stable, and adjusted their dress more fully. (Shortly) they entered the house, 𝖅ze-kung going first[2]. The porter said to him, "I have already announced your arrival;" and when 𝖅ǎng-𝖟ze followed, he moved on one side for him. They passed on to the inner place for the droppings from the roof, the Great officers all moving out of their way, and the duke descending a step and bowing to them. A superior man has said about the case, "So it is when the toilet is complete! Immediately its influence extends far[3]."
22. A man-at-arms at the Yang gate (of the capital of Sung) having died, 𝖅ze-han, the superintendent of Works, went to (his house), and wailed for him bitterly. The men of 𝖅in who were in
Sung as spies returned, and reported the thing to
- ↑ The concluding sentence is found also in the "Narratives of the School," and may have been added to the rest by the compiler of this Than Kung. We are not prepared for the instance which Confucius gives of his poverty; but perhaps we like him better for keeping a dog, and seeing after its burial.
- ↑ Because he was older than 𝖅ing-𝖟ze.
- ↑ This concluding sentence is much objected to; seeming, as it does, to attribute to their toilet what was due to the respectful demeanour of the two worthies, and their established reputation. But the text must stand as it is.
