席不正不坐
He would not sit unless his mat was straight.
Confucius, & Slingerland, E. (2003). Analects: With selections from traditional commentaries. Hackett Publishing.
If the sitting mat was not properly straightened, he would not sit on it.
Confucius, & Watson, B. (2007). The Analects of Confucius. Columbia University Press.
虽疏食菜羹瓜祭必齐如也
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.
食不语寝不言
He would not instruct while eating, nor continue to converse once he had retired to bed.
Confucius, & Slingerland, E. (2003). Analects: With selections from traditional commentaries. Hackett Publishing.
He did not converse at mealtime and did not talk in bed.
Confucius, & Watson, B. (2007). The Analects of Confucius. Columbia University Press.
祭于公不宿肉祭肉不出三日出三日不食之矣
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.
食不厌精脍不厌细食饐而餲鱼馁而肉败不食色恶不食臭恶不食失饪不食不时不食割不正不食不得其酱不食肉虽多不使胜食气唯酒无量不及乱沽酒市脯不食不撤姜食不多食
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.
齐必有明衣布齐必变食居必迁坐
When fasting, he would always don a clean linen robe [after his ritual bath]. When fasting, he would always alter his diet, as well as the place where he would sit when at leisure.
Confucius, & Slingerland, E. (2003). Analects: With selections from traditional commentaries. Hackett Publishing.
In periods of ritual purification, he always wore a clean robe made of hemp. At such times, he invariably changed his diet and sat in a seat different from his ordinary one.
Confucius, & Watson, B. (2007). The Analects of Confucius. Columbia University Press.
君子不以绀緅饰红紫不以为亵服当暑,袗絺绤必表而出之缁衣羔裘素衣麑裘黄衣狐裘亵裘长短右袂必有寝衣长一身有半狐貉之厚以居去丧无所不佩非帷裳必杀之羔裘玄冠不以吊吉月必朝服而朝
The gentleman did not use reddish-black or maroon for the trim of his garment, nor did he use red or purple for his informal dress.
In the summer, he wore a single layer of linen or hemp but always put on an outer garment before going out.
With a black upper garment he would wear a lambskin robe; with a white upper garment he would wear a fawn-skin robe; and with a yellow upper garment he would wear a fox-fur robe.
His informal fur robe was long, but the right sleeve was short. He required that his nightgown be knee-length.
He wore thick fox and badger furs when at home. Except when he was in mourning, he never went anywhere without having all of his sash ornaments properly displayed.
With the exception of his one-piece ceremonial skirts, his lower garments were always cut and hemmed. He did not wear [black] lambskin robes or dark caps on condolence visits. On the day of the “Auspicious Moon,” he would always put on his [black] court attire and present himself at court.
Confucius, & Slingerland, E. (2003). Analects: With selections from traditional commentaries. Hackett Publishing.
The gentleman did not wear dark purple or puce trimmings on his garments or informal clothes of red or purple. In hot weather, he wore a single garment of fine or coarse kudzu fiber but always put on an outer garment when he went out. With a black robe, he wore black lambskin; with a white robe, white deerskin; and with a yellow robe, yellow fox fur. With informal dress, he wore fur of ordinary length, but with the right sleeve cut somewhat shorter. He always wore a sleeping robe one and a half times his body length. He used thick fox or badger fur for his sitting mat. When not in mourning, he wore any sort of belt ornament. With the exception of ceremonial skirts, his lower garments were always fitted at the waist. He did not wear black lambskin or a black silk hat on visits of condolence. On the first day of the month, he invariably put on court vestments and attended court.
Confucius, & Watson, B. (2007). The Analects of Confucius. Columbia University Press.
执圭鞠躬如也如不胜上如揖下如授勃如战色足蹜蹜如有循享礼有容色私觌愉愉如也
When grasping the official jade tablet, he would draw himself in, as if he could not bear its weight. Sometimes he held it high against his forehead as if saluting, while at other times he held it low at his waist as if offering a gift. Alert and serious, his expression would be like someone about to go into battle, and he would walk with shortened steps as though each movement were carefully scripted. During the ceremonial exchange of gifts, his countenance was accommodating; when having his private audience, he seemed at ease.
Confucius, & Slingerland, E. (2003). Analects: With selections from traditional commentaries. Hackett Publishing.
When he carried the jade tablet, he bent forward, as though he could not bear the weight. He held it up as though performing a bow, lowered it as though handing over an object. His face took on a look of concentration, an expression of fear, and he moved his feet carefully, as though walking a line.
When presenting official gifts, his expression was genial, and at the exchange of private gifts his manner was even more relaxed.
Confucius, & Watson, B. (2007). The Analects of Confucius. Columbia University Press.
入公门鞠躬如也如不容立不中门行不履阈过位色勃如也足躩如也其言似不足者摄齐升堂鞠躬如也屏气似不息者出降一等逞颜色怡怡如也没阶趋进翼如也复其位踧踖如也
When entering the gate of his Duke, he would draw himself in, as if the gate were not large enough to admit him.
He would not come to a halt at the center of the doorway and when walking would not tread upon the threshold.
When passing by his appointed place, his countenance would become alert and serious, he would hasten his steps, his words falling to a whisper as if he could barely get them out.
When he ascended to the Duke’s dais with the hem of his gown gathered in his hands, he would draw himself in, slowing his breath to the point that it seemed as if he were not breathing at all. Upon leaving the Duke’s dais, his expression would relax as he descended the top stair, and he would seem at ease. On reaching the bottom of the stairs, he would hasten forward smoothly, as though gliding upon wings. When returning to his own place, he would resume his attitude of cautious respect.
Confucius, & Slingerland, E. (2003). Analects: With selections from traditional commentaries. Hackett Publishing.
When he entered the ruler’s gate, he bent forward, as though the gate were not big enough to admit him. He never stood in the middle of the gateway or stepped on the threshold.
When he passed the place customarily occupied by the ruler, his face took on a look of concentration and his pace was solemn. When he spoke, he seemed to have trouble getting out his words.
When he gathered up his robe and ascended the hall, his body was bent forward and his breathing stilled, as though he were unable to breathe. When he emerged from the audience and descended the first step, he relaxed his expression with a look of relief. When he had come to the bottom of the steps, he hurried forward in a dignified manner and returned to his original position with a reverent air.
Confucius, & Watson, B. (2007). The Analects of Confucius. Columbia University Press.
君召使摈色勃如也足躩如也揖所与立左右手衣前后襜如也趋进翼如也宾退必复命曰宾不顾矣
When called on by his lord to receive a guest, his countenance would become alert and serious, and he would hasten his steps. When he saluted those in attendance beside him—extending his clasped hands to the left or right, as their position required—his robes remained perfectly arrayed, both front and back. Hastening forward, he moved smoothly, as though gliding upon wings. Once the guest had left, he would always return to report, “The guest is no longer looking back.”
Confucius, & Slingerland, E. (2003). Analects: With selections from traditional commentaries. Hackett Publishing.
When the ruler summoned him to greet a guest, his face took on a look of concentration and his pace was solemn. As he bowed and took his place with the others in line, he clasped his hands first to the left, then to the right, his robe falling front and back in graceful folds. When he hurried forward, he did so in a dignified manner. And after the guest had departed, he always reported the conclusion of the mission, saying, The guest has ceased to look back.
Confucius, & Watson, B. (2007). The Analects of Confucius. Columbia University Press.
