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

YEN
BOOK XII
The Master's Answers—Philanthropy—Friendships
YUEN was asking about man's proper regard for
his fellow-man. The Master said to him, " Self-con-
trol, and a habit of falling back upon propriety, virtually
effect it. Let these conditions be fulfilled for one day, and
every one round will betake himself to the duty. Is it to begin
in one's self, or think you, indeed ! it is to begin in others ? "
" I wanted you to be good enough," said Yen Yuen, " to give
me a brief synopsis of it."
Then said the Master, " Without Propriety use not your
eyes ; without it use not your ears, nor your tongue, nor a limb
of your body."
" I may be lacking in diligence," said Yen Yuen, " but with
your favor I will endeavor to carry out this advice."
Chung-kung asked about man's proper regard for his fel-
lows.
To him the Master replied thus : " When you go forth from
your door, be as if you were meeting some guest of importance.
When you are making use of the common people (for State
purposes), be as if you were taking part in a great religious
function. Do not set before others what you do not desire
yourself. Let there be no resentful feelings against you when
you are away in the country, and none when at home."
" I may lack dihgence," said Chung-kung, " but with your
favor I will endeavor to carry out this advice."
Sz-ma Niu asked the like question. The answer he received
" The words of the man who has a proper regard for
was this :
his fellows are uttered with difficulty."
" * His words—uttered with difficulty ? ' " he echoed, in sur-
prise. " Is that what is meant by proper regard for one's fellow-creatures
? "
" Where there is difficulty in doing," the Master replied, " will
there not be some difficulty in utterance ? "
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