The Ba Yi (Eight Rows Dance) Chapter

Confucius said of the Ji Family:
"If he dared to use the Eight Rows Dance* reserved for the Son of Heaven in his courtyard, what would he not dare to do?"
(八佾/Bā Yì: A royal ritual dance with eight rows of eight dancers [64 total], exclusive to Zhou kings. Ji Sun, a Lu minister, usurped this privilege, provoking Confucius' outrage against ritual transgressions.)

 

On the Three Clans Mengsun, Shusun, and Jisun using the Yong hymn during ancestral rites:
"The Yong says: ‘Assisted by feudal lords, the Son of Heaven solemnly presides.’ How can such lines apply to the halls of mere ministers?"

 

Confucius said:
"Without humaneness (ren 仁), what use is ritual (li 禮)? Without humaneness, what purpose has music?"

 

When Lin Fang asked about the essence of ritual:
"Yours is a profound question. In ritual, frugality surpasses extravagance; in mourning, true grief outweighs ceremonial perfection."

 

Confucius remarked:
"Even barbarian lands with rulers lack the refinement of our Central States without rulers."

 

On Ji Sun sacrificing to Mount Tai:
Confucius asked Ran You: "Can you not stop him?" Ran You: "I cannot." Confucius sighed: "Alas! Would Mount Tai’s deity be less discerning than Lin Fang?"

 

On the gentleman’s rivalry:
"The noble person contends in nothing—save archery. They bow courteously before competing, drink together afterward. This is the rivalry of gentlemen."

 

Zi Xia inquired about a Book of Songs verse:
"‘Lovely smiles, bright eyes against pure silk—like colors upon white ground.’"
Confucius: "Painting begins with plain silk."
Zi Xia: "So ritual follows humaneness?"
Confucius: "Shang, you illuminate my thoughts! Now we may discuss the Odes."

 

On reconstructing ancient rites:
"I can describe Xia rituals, but Qi lacks evidence; I can describe Yin rituals, but Song lacks proof. Without records and scholars, how verify?"

 

On the Di Sacrifice:
"After the first libation, I see nothing worth watching."
When asked about the rite’s rules, Confucius deflected: "He who truly knows could govern the world as easily as holding this"—pointing to his palm.

 

On ritual sincerity:
"Sacrifice to ancestors as if they were present; worship gods as if they stood before you. To sacrifice without presence is no sacrifice."

 

Wangsun Jia asked about flattering deities:
"‘Better pray to the Kitchen God than the August God.’"
Confucius rebuked: "Wrong! Those who sin gravely find no salvation in prayers."

 

On Zhou’s cultural synthesis:
"Zhou’s rituals, inheriting Xia and Yin, shine with splendor. I follow Zhou."

 

At the Grand Temple:
Confucius asked about every ritual detail. A critic said: "Who calls this man learned in rites?" Confucius replied: "Such inquiry is ritual."

 

On archery’s ethics:
"Archery values not piercing the target—strength varies. This was the ancients’ wisdom."

 

When Zigong proposed abolishing the sacrificial lamb:
"You care for the lamb; I care for the ritual."

 

On serving rulers:
"I serve lords by Zhou rites—yet men call it flattery."

 

Duke Ding of Lu asked about ruler-minister relations:
"Let rulers employ ministers with ritual; let ministers serve rulers with loyalty."

 

On the Guan Ju ode:
"Its joy never descends to excess; its sorrow never drowns in despair."

 

Regarding the Earth Altar’s wood:
Zai Wo said: "Xia used pine, Yin cypress, Zhou chestnut—to ‘make people tremble.’" Confucius lamented: "Let done deeds rest unmentioned."

 

On Guan Zhong’s character:
"Guan Zhong was petty! He kept three lavish estates, redundant staff—how ‘frugal’? He erected screen walls and ceremonial stands like a ruler—if he knew ritual, who does not?"

 

Explaining music to Lu’s musicians:
"Music begins in harmony, flows through clarity, and concludes in continuity—like a winding stream."

 

A border official sought Confucius:
"All worthy visitors here meet me. Why fear losing office? Heaven appoints the Master as bell-striker to awaken this dark age."

 

Evaluating ancient music:
"Shao: perfect in beauty and virtue. Wu: perfect in beauty, lacking in virtue."

 

On corrupt rulers:
"When those in power lack magnanimity, perform rites irreverently, and mourn without grief—how can I bear to look?"

 

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