When Ji Kangzi sent him a gift of medicinal herbs, he bowed [to the messenger] and accepted it, but said, “I do not know what sort of medicine this is, so I dare not taste it.”
Confucius, & Slingerland, E. (2003). Analects: With selections from traditional commentaries. Hackett Publishing.
(Ji) Kangzi presented Confucius with some medicine. Confucius bowed to the ground in accepting it, but said, As I am not familiar with this medicine, I do not venture to taste it.
Confucius, & Watson, B. (2007). The Analects of Confucius. Columbia University Press.
Even though a meal was only of coarse grain or vegetable broth, he invariably gave some as a sacrificial offering, and would do so in a grave and respectful manner.
Confucius, & Slingerland, E. (2003). Analects: With selections from traditional commentaries. Hackett Publishing.
Although it was no more than coarse grain, a soup of greens or melon, before eating he always set aside a portion as an offering and did so with a reverential air.
Confucius, & Watson, B. (2007). The Analects of Confucius. Columbia University Press.
After assisting his Duke at a sacrifice, he would not keep the portion of the sacrificial meat bestowed upon him overnight. When sacrificing at home, he would not let the meat sit for more than three days. If it had sat for more than three days, he would not eat it.
Confucius, & Slingerland, E. (2003). Analects: With selections from traditional commentaries. Hackett Publishing.
When he had received sacrificial meat from the ruler, he did not keep it until the following day. When he had meat from a family sacrifice, he ate it before the third day. If three days had passed, he would not eat it.
Confucius, & Watson, B. (2007). The Analects of Confucius. Columbia University Press.
He would not eat in excess, even when presented with refined grain or finely minced meat.
He would not eat grain that was damp or musty, fish that had gone bad, or meat that had spoiled. He would eat nothing that was discolored or foul smelling, nor anything that was improperly cooked or gathered out of season. He would not eat any meat that had been improperly butchered or anything that had not been properly seasoned.
Even when meat was plentiful, he would not eat so much that it would overpower the grain. He would only enjoy wine without limit, though never to the point of disorderliness.
He would not drink wine bought from a shop or dried meat purchased from the market.
Although he would not remove the ginger dish from the table, he would not consume it in excess.
Confucius, & Slingerland, E. (2003). Analects: With selections from traditional commentaries. Hackett Publishing.
He had no objection to polished rice or meat or fish finely cut up. But if the rice was moldy or rancid, the fish putrid or the meat spoiled, he would not eat it. If food had a bad color, he would not eat it; if it smelled bad, he would not eat it; if it was improperly cooked, he would not eat it; if it was out of season, he would not eat it; if it was not properly sliced, he would not eat it; if it did not have the proper sauce, he would not eat it.
Although he might eat a large helping of meat, he did not allow it to overwhelm the vital nourishment of the rice. Only in the case of wine did he have no fixed limit, but he never drank to the point of confusion.
He would not drink wine or eat foods bought from the market. He did not refuse ginger, but did not eat much of it.
Confucius, & Watson, B. (2007). The Analects of Confucius. Columbia University Press.
