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Confucianism -> Liji -> Qu Li I -> 10

In the highest antiquity they prized (simply conferring) good;
in the time next to this, giving and repaying was the thing attended to.
And what the rules of propriety value is that reciprocity.
If I give a gift and nothing comes in return,
that is contrary to propriety;
if the thing comes to me, and I give nothing in return,
that also is contrary to propriety.
If a man observe the rules of propriety, he is in a condition of security;
if he do not, he is in one of danger.
Hence there is the saying,
'The rules of propriety should by no means be left unlearned.'


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