CHAPTER 11

The Master said, "While a man's father is alive, look at the bent of his will; when his father is dead, look at his conduct. If for three years he does not alter from the way of his father, he may be called filial."

10. CHARACTERISTICS OF CONFUCIUS, AND THEIR INFLUENCE OF THE PRINCES OF THE TIME. 1. Tsze-k'in, and Teze-k'ang (亢), are designations of 陈亢, one of the minor disciples of Confucius. His tablet occupies the 28th place, on the west, in the outer hall of the temples. A good story is related of him. On the death of his brother, his wife and major-domo wished to bury some living persons with him, to serve him in the regions below. The thing being referred to Tsze-k'in, he proposed that the wife and steward should themselves submit to the immolation, which made them stop the matter. Tszekung, with the double surname 端木, and named 赐, occupies a higher place in the Confucian ranks, and is now the third on the east, among 'the wise ones'. He is conspicuous in this work for his readiness and smartness in reply, and displayed on several occasions practical and political ability. 夫, 'a general designation for males',= a man. 夫子,—a common designation for a teacher or master. 是邦, 'this country'= any country. 必, 'must',= does not fail to. The antecedent to both the之is the whole clause 闻其政. Obs. the diff. in 与, up.2d tone,= 'to give', and often a preposition, 'with', 'to' and 与, low.1st tone, as in ch.2. 2. The force of 其诸 is well enough expressed by the dash in English, the previous 也 indicating a pause in the discourse, which the 其, 'it' resumes.

11. ON FILIAL DUTY. 行 is in the low.3d tone, explained by 行迹, 'trace of walking',= conduct. It is to be understood that the way of the father had not been very bad. An old interpretation, that the three years are to be understood of the three years of mourning for the father, is now rightly rejected.