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

THE ANALECTS 43
" Can any do otherwise than assent to words said to them by
way of correction ? Only let them reform by such advice, and
it will then be reckoned valuable. Can any be other than
pleased with words of gentle suasion? Only let them comply
with them fully, and such also will be accounted valuable.
With those who are pleased without so complying, and those
who assent but do not reform, I can do nothing at all.
" Give prominent place to loyalty and sincerity.
" Have no associates in study who are not advanced some-
what like yourself.
" When you have erred, be not afraid to correct yourself.
" It may be possible to seize and carry off the chief com-
mander of a large army, but not possible so to rob one poor fellow
of his will.
" One who stands—clad in hempen robe, the worse for wear
—among others clad in furs of fox and badger, and yet unabashed
— 'tis Tsz-lu, that, is it not ? "
Tsz-lu used always to be humming over the lines
" From envy and enmity free,
What deed doth he other than good ? "
" How should such a rule of life," asked the Master, " be
sufficient to make any one good ? "
" When the year grows chilly, we know the pine and cypress
are the last to fade.
" The wise escape doubt ; the good-hearted, trouble ; the
bold, apprehension.
" Some may study side by side, and yet be asunder when they
come to the logic of things. Some may go on together in this
latter course, but be wide apart in the standards they reach in
it. Some, again, may together reach the same standard, and
yet be diverse in weight of character."
" The blossom is out on the cherry tree,
With a flutter on every spray.
Dost think that my thoughts go not out to thee?
Ah, why art thou far
"
away !
Commenting on these lines the Master said, " There can
hardly have been much * thought going out.' What does distance
signify ? "
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