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When sleeping, he did not lie stiffly like a corpse; when at home, he was relaxed and unpretentious. Yet whenever he saw someone in mourning dress – even if they were close friends – he would always change his expression to one of solemnity. When encountering someone wearing a ceremonial cap or a blind…
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When Confucius entered the Grand Temple (the ancestral temple of the ruler), he asked about every detail of the rites.
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One should not disdain refined food or finely cut meat. Do not eat food that is stale or spoiled, fish that has gone bad, or meat that has rotted. Do not eat anything with an unappetizing color or foul odor. Do not eat food that is improperly cooked, eaten at the wrong time, cut…
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When Confucius held the jade tablet (a ceremonial scepter used in diplomatic missions), he bowed slightly, appearing reverent and cautious, as if he could barely bear its weight. When raising it upward, his gesture resembled a bow; when lowering it, it was like offering something to another. His expression was solemn, almost tense, and…
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When Confucius entered the ducal gate, he bowed deeply as if there were no room for him. He never stood in the center of the doorway, nor did he step on the threshold. Passing by the ruler’s seat, his expression instantly became solemn, his steps quickened, and his speech grew hushed, as though he…