The Recorders of the Analec's state that the observance of the rules of Propriety is the sine yud non of the Scholar. And that coming generations should exalt the Schools of Propriety. (Exordium, #8), Literary attainments do not consist: merely in high sounding Poetry (or Versification).
The Recorders state that literature tion from books, and when he returned home (Soochow) he recorded with his own hand what the Master had said, and although he was but a youth when he com-lied the work, all Scholars of note consider It worthy of the highest place in Literature, and the awber a man of literary attain: ments. Was he not worthy of being a Sclectman? (Distribution #87F). In olden time Literature was meagre. Only the Six Classics were in existence (2%, $F, HEEL, FAK JAMBO). Therefore, the men of the San fai heard nothing of adverse or higher criticism. But afterwards in the time of Confucius, the multitude of books begat opposing Schools. And when Propriety was abolished and people punished (against the teachings of Confucius), certain individuals arose who were so called specialists if. This kind of learning is not to be com-red with that of ancient times. Con-
instruction (3X, 47, $3, 4H)" the first is fucianism consists in four Sopertments. of (Literature, Belles lettres, and what not?) In gee (Kang Hsi says these conversations" are and) that is the BY ap, Bhiis the observance of Propriety is place last. So the observance of Propriety is the root of learning and is abundantly exhibited in Tsz Yiu (of beginning).
Among the pernicious errors of literature in China, there is none greater than the making of empty, braggart, self-boasting books which the writers themselves have no intention of following. From the decline of the Li Yoh Ch'un Chuen, there arose a class of hypocritical and self-inflated quill-drivers who concentrated the energy and deepest thought of ten years into the production of one essay. They select, compare and combine, from all the books, and ten thousand words are insutticient to express their ideas, They flow out big but soon dwindle down to trickling stream; boast of their ability and endeavour by their pretensions to gain reputation. They cast aside the human relations, and the 3%, (aR), and abrogate the illustrious doctrines (of Confucius) against all decency! Ayainst such wanton conduct one can but exclaim, "Alas!
How 1" Tf one who practices Propriety but professes specialty in Wen-chang, ix recommended as a pattern for them and if they would Hfollow him without reference to Wen-grounded on the obser ie was embodied in Txz Yiu, and is it not Sima appear. 'They would then humbly om th nce of Propriety chang, the true Wen-churly would in understood that the ug generations Jearn from antiquity and instruct the should exalt the Schools of Propriety?' coming race to accord with their teaching (Elucidation of the Theme, FB). concerning the observance of the Rules of In olden times Our Master (Confucius) Propriety, and although not in the cele-was anxious lest Literature should not be brated school of Shansi would b& among established, and lest Delles lettres should be the learned men of Kiangsu. Are these annihilated. At that time he said, The not the Fathers of the Sect of the Learned? ideal man, extensively: studying. all learning (Ff). and keeping himself under the Rules of: Of the distress hit of Learning in Propriety, will not overstep what is right." the past to the present, the worst is the Literary exquisites—those hited-sepul-' braggart air of inconsistent writers who chres—should a'l he put to the line and discuss themes which they do nut put into plummet of Propriety. The ides here is! practice. From the time when Virtue, most excellent. And those who were not Benevolence and Justice were lost, the immediate disciples divining his meaning, Confucianists used certain compilations compiled "The Analects," apprehensive and commentaries on these subjects merely lest the coming race of Scholars would to vain notoriety, and on the basis of one lightly esteem the laws of Propriety and act character or sentence wrote voluminous regardless of them according to their own ' essays, separating into many schools on will. This would be destructive. Con- the smallest particle of truth—until it sequently they exalted Tsz Yiu as the became worse and worse: each holding model of Propriety in order to let men himself correct, orthodox and deeply know that in this Holy and Learned Com- learned, condemning whatever new expany he was the father of the Ceremonial ' planations might be advanced, maligning School (§&3§ climax). Those who suffered ' the Sages and contemning the Canons of with Confucius were first of all_men of Shi and Sku, thus breaking away from virtue and, secondly, scholars. Between all control. Who will ask the results? these there is a great difference. By ex-. If one who observes she rules of Propriety amining the Book of Rites, one will find becomes their exemplar—one who does not that of the 49 chapters, two are concerned ostensibly put Literature to the front, he with Tsz Yiu. He learned directly from. will more than compensate for the books the Master and did not derive his instruc-' that have been lost in the Ming T'ang
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.