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

SAID
BOOK VII
Characteristics of Confucius—An Incident
the Master:
!
—
" I, as a transmitter^® and not an originator, and as
— ; :
one who believes in and loves the ancients, venture to
compare myself with our old P'ang.
" What find you indeed in me ?—a quiet brooder and memorizer;
a student never satiated with learning; an unwearied
monitor of others
" The things which weigh heavily upon my mind are these
failure to improve in the virtues, failure in discussion of what is
learnt, inability to walk according to knowledge received as to
what is right and just, inability also to reform what has been
amiss."
In his hours of recreation and refreshment the Master's manner
was easy and unconstrained, afifable and winning.
Once he exclaimed, " Alas ! I must be getting very feeble
'tis long since I have had a repetition of the dreams in which
I used to see the Duke of Chow.^^
" Concentrate the mind," said he, " upon the Good Way.
" Maintain firm hold upon Virtue.
" Rely upon Philanthropy.
" Find recreation in the Arts.^^
" I have never withheld instruction from any, even from
those who have come for it with the smallest offering.
" No subject do I broach, however, to those who have no
eager desire to learn ; no encouraging hint do I give to those
who show no anxiety to speak out their ideas ; nor have I any-
" In reference to his editing the six Confucius's life to restore the country
Classics of his time. to the condition in which the Duke of
" This was one of his " beloved an- Chow left it.
cients," famous for what he did in help- ^* These were six in number, viz.
ing to found the dynasty of Chow, a Ceremonial, Music, Archery, Horseman
of great political wisdom, a scholar manship, Language, and Calculation,
also, and poet. It was the " dream " of
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