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The Analects – Chapter 54 (3.14). The civilizational beacon
3.14 The Master said, “Zhou could survey the two preceding dynasties. How great a wealth of culture! And we follow upon Zhou.”
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The Analects – Chapter 53 (3.13). Heaven’s mandate vs. Earthly power
3.13 Wangsun Jia asked about the meaning of the saying, Better pay court to the stove.Than pay court to the Shrine. The Master said, “It is not true. He who has put himself in the wrong with Heaven has no means of expiation left.”
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The Analects – Chapter 52 (3.12). Ritual Reverence
3.12 Of the saying, “The word ‘sacrifice’ is like the word ‘present’; one should sacrifice to a spirit as though that spirit was present.”
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The Analects – Chapter 51 (3.11). The ritual as governance code
3.11 Someone asked for an explanation of the Ancestral Sacrifice. Confucius said, “I do not know. Anyone who knew the explanation could deal with all things under Heaven as easily as I lay this here”; and he laid his finger upon the palm of his hand.
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The Analects – Chapter 50 (3.10). Lament for the hollowed sacrifice
3.10 The Master said, “At the Ancestral Sacrifice, as for all that comes after the libation, I had far rather not witness it!”