Chinese and Arabian Literature - E. Wilson - The Search For Mecca

83
CONFUCIUS
of Ch'ing should be allowed to introduce discord in connec-
tion with the music of the Festal Songs and Hymns. Also that
sharp-whetted tongues should be permitted to subvert govern-
ments."
Once said he, " Would that I could dispense with speech !
" Sir," said Tsz-kung, " if you were never to speak, what
should your pupils have to hand down from you ? "
" Does Heaven ever speak ? " said the Master. " The four
seasons come and go, and all creatures live and grow. Does
Heaven indeed speak? "
Once Ju Pi desired an interview with Confucius, from which
but while
the latter excused himself on the score of ill-health ;
the attendant was passing out through the doorway with the
message he took his lute and sang, in such a way as to let him
hear him.
Tsai Wo questioned him respecting the three years' mourn-
ing, saying that one full twelve-month was a long time—that, if
gentlemen were for three years to cease from observing rules of
propriety, propriety must certainly suffer, and that if for three
years they neglected music, music must certainly die out—and
that seeing nature has taught us that when the old year's grain
is finished the new has sprung up for us—seeing also that all
the changes ^^ in procuring fire by friction have been gone
through in the four seasons—surely a twelve-month might suf-
fice.
The Master asked him, " Would it be a satisfaction to you
that returning to better food, that putting on of fine clothes ? '*
" It would," said he.
" Then if you can be satisfied in so doing, do so. But to a
gentleman, who is in mourning for a parent, the choicest food
will not be palatable, nor will the listening to music be pleasant,
nor will comforts of home make him happy in mind. Hence he
does not do as you suggest. But if you are now happy in your
mind, then do so."
Tsai Wo went out. And the Master went on to say, " It is
want of human feeling in this man. After a child has lived three
years it then breaks away from the tender nursing of its parents.
And this three years' mourning is the customary mourning
prevalent all over the empire. Can this man have enjoyed the
three years of loving care from his parents? "
** Dif!erent woods were adopted for this purpose at the various seasons.
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