3.2 The Three Families used the Yong Song during the removal of the sacrificial vessels. Confucius said, “‘By rulers and lords attended,The Son of Heaven, mysterious….’ What possible application can such words have in the hall of the Three Families?”
2.24 Confucius said, “Just as to sacrifice to ancestors other than one’s own is presumption, so to see what is right and not do it is cowardice.”
2.23 Zizhang asked whether the state of things ten generations hence could be foretold.
Duke Ai asked, “What can I do in order to get the support of the common people?”
Zizhang was learning with a view to official emolument. The Master said, “Hear much, but maintain silence as regards doubtful points and be cautious in speaking of the rest; then you will seldom get into trouble. See much, but ignore what it is dangerous to have seen, and be cautious in acting upon the…