| | 祭统: |
凡治人之道，莫急于礼。礼有五经，莫重于祭。夫祭者，非物自外至者也，自中出生于心也；心怵而奉之以礼。是故，唯贤者能尽祭之义。 |
| Ji Tong: |
Of all the methods for the good ordering of men, there is none more urgent than the use of ceremonies. Ceremonies are of five kinds, and there is none of them more important than sacrifices. Sacrifice is not a thing coming to a man from without; it issues from within him, and has its birth in his heart. When the heart is deeply moved, expression is given to it by ceremonies; and hence, only men of ability and virtue can give complete exhibition to the idea of sacrifice. |
| | 祭统: |
贤者之祭也，必受其福。非世所谓福也。福者，备也；备者，百顺之名也。无所不顺者，谓之备。言：内尽于己，而外顺于道也。忠臣以事其君，孝子以事其亲，其本一也。上则顺于鬼神，外则顺于君长，内则以孝于亲。如此之谓备。唯贤者能备，能备然后能祭。是故，贤者之祭也：致其诚信与其忠敬，奉之以物，道之以礼，安之以乐，参之以时。明荐之而已矣。不求其为。此孝子之心也。 |
| Ji Tong: |
The sacrifices of such men have their own blessing;--not indeed what the world calls blessing. Blessing here means perfection;-it is the name given to the complete and natural discharge of all duties. When nothing is left incomplete or improperly discharged;--this is what we call perfection, implying the doing everything that should be done in one's internal self, and externally the performance of everything according to the proper method. There is a fundamental agreement between a loyal subject in his service of his ruler and a filial son in his service of his parents. In the supernal sphere there is a compliance with (what is due to) the repose and expansion of the energies of nature; in the external sphere, a compliance with (what is due) to rulers and elders; in the internal sphere, the filial service of parents;--all this constitutes what is called perfection. It is only the able and virtuous man who can attain to this perfection; and can sacrifice when he has attained to it. Hence in the sacrifices of such a man he brings into exercise all sincerity and good faith, with all right-heartedness and reverence; he offers the (proper) things; accompanies them with the (proper) rites; employs the soothing of music; does everything suitably to the season. Thus intelligently does he offer his sacrifices, without seeking for anything to be gained by them - such is the heart and mind of a filial son. |
| | 祭统: |
祭者，所以追养继孝也。孝者畜也。顺于道不逆于伦，是之谓畜。是故，孝子之事亲也，有三道焉：生则养，没则丧，丧毕则祭。养则观其顺也，丧则观其哀也，祭则观其敬而时也。尽此三道者，孝子之行也。 |
| Ji Tong: |
It is by sacrifice that the nourishment of parents is followed up and filial duty to them Perpetuated. The filial heart is a storehouse (of all filial duties). Compliance with everything that can mark his course, and be no violation of the relation (between parent and child) - the keeping of this is why we call it a storehouse. Therefore in three ways is a filial son's service of his parents shown - while they are alive, by nourishing them; when they are dead, by all the rites of mourning; and when the mourning is over by sacrificing to them. In his nourishing them we see his natural obedience; in his funeral rites we see his sorrow; in his sacrifices we see his reverence and observance of the (proper) seasons. In these three ways we see the practice of a filial son. |
| | 祭统: |
既内自尽，又外求助，昏礼是也。故国君取夫人之辞曰：“请君之玉女与寡人共有敝邑，事宗庙社稷。”此求助之本也。夫祭也者，必夫妇亲之，所以备外内之官也；官备则具备。水草之菹，陆产之醢，小物备矣；三牲之俎，八簋之实，美物备矣；昆虫之异，草木之实，阴阳之物备矣。凡天之所生，地之所长，茍可荐者，莫不咸在，示尽物也。外则尽物，内则尽志，此祭之心也。 |
| Ji Tong: |
When a son had done everything (for his sacrifices) that he could do himself, he proceeded to seek assistance from abroad; and this came through the rites of marriage. Hence the language of a ruler, when about to marry a wife, was - 'I beg you, O ruler, to give me your elegant daughter, to share this small state with my poor self, to do service in the ancestral temple, and at the altars to (the spirits of) the land and grain.' This underlay his seeking for that assistance (from abroad). In sacrificing, husband and wife had their several duties which they personally attended to; and on this account there was the array of officials belonging to the exterior and interior departments (of the palace). When these officers were complete, all things necessary (for the service) were made ready - small things, such as the sourcrout of water plants and pickles from the produce of dry grounds; and fine things, such as the stands for the bodies of the three victims, and the supplies for the eight dishes. Strange insects and the fruits of plants and trees, produced under the best influences of light and shade, were all made ready. Whatever heaven produces, whatever earth developes in its growth;--all were then exhibited in the greatest abundance. Everything was there from without, and internally there was the utmost effort of the will - such was the spirit in sacrificing. |
| | 祭统: |
是故，天子亲耕于南郊，以共齐盛；王后蚕于北郊，以共纯服。诸侯耕于东郊，亦以共齐盛；夫人蚕于北郊，以共冕服。天子诸侯非莫耕也，王后夫人非莫蚕也，身致其诚信，诚信之谓尽，尽之谓敬，敬尽然后可以事神明，此祭之道也。 |
| Ji Tong: |
For this reason, also, the son of Heaven himself guided the plough in the southern suburb, to provide the grain for the sacrificial vessels; and the queen looked after her silkworms in the northern suburb, to provide the cap and robes of silk. The princes of the states guided the plough in their eastern suburb, also to provide the grain for the sacrificial vessels, and their wives looked after their silkworms in the northern suburb, to provide the cap and robes of silk. This was not because the son of Heaven and the princes had not men to plough for them, or 'because the queen and the princes' wives had not women to tend the silkworms for them; it was to give the exhibition of their personal sincerity. Such sincerity was what is called doing their utmost; and such doing of their utmost was what is called reverence. When they had reverently done their utmost, they could serve the spiritual Intelligences--such was the way of sacrificing. |
| | 祭统: |
及时将祭，君子乃齐。齐之为言齐也。齐不齐以致齐者也。是以君子非有大事也，非有恭敬也，则不齐。不齐则于物无防也，嗜欲无止也。及其将齐也，防其邪物，讫其嗜欲，耳不听乐。故记曰：“齐者不乐”，言不敢散其志也。心不茍虑，必依于道；手足不茍动，必依于礼。是故君子之齐也，专致其精明之德也。 |
| Ji Tong: |
When the time came for offering a sacrifice, the man wisely gave himself to the work of purification. That purification meant the production of uniformity (in all the thoughts);-it was the giving uniformity to all that was not uniform, till a uniform direction of the thoughts was realised. Hence a superior man, unless for a great occasion, and unless he were animated by a great reverence, did not attempt this purification. While it was not attained, he did not take precautions against the influence of (outward) things, nor did he cease from all (internal) desires. But when he was about to attempt it, he guarded against all things of an evil nature, and suppressed all his desires, His ears did not listen to music;--as it is said in the Record, 'People occupied with purification have no music,' meaning that they did not venture to allow its dissipation of their minds. He allowed no vain thoughts in his heart, but kept them in a strict adherence to what was right. He allowed no reckless movement of his hands or feet, but kept them firmly in the way of propriety. Thus the superior man, in his purification, devotes himself to carrying to its utmost extent his refined and intelligent virtue. |
| | 祭统: |
故散齐七日以定之，致齐三日以齐之。定之之谓齐。齐者精明之至也，然后可以交于神明也。是故，先期旬有一日，宫宰宿夫人，夫人亦散齐七日，致齐三日。君致齐于外，夫人致齐于内，然后会于大庙。 |
| Ji Tong: |
Therefore there was the looser ordering of the mind for seven days, to bring it to a state of fixed determination; and the complete ordering of it for three days, to effect the uniformity of all the thoughts. That determination is what is called purification; the final attainment is when the highest degree of refined intelligence is reached. After this it was possible to enter into communion with the spiritual Intelligences. Moreover, on the eleventh day, before that appointed for the sacrifice, the governor of the palace gave warning notice to the wife of the ruler, and she also conducted that looser ordering of her thoughts for seven days, and that more complete ordering of them for three. The ruler accomplished his purification in the outer apartment, and the wife her purification in the inner. After this they met in the grand temple. |
| | 祭统: |
君纯冕立于阼，夫人副褘立于东房。君执圭瓒裸尸，大宗执璋瓒亚裸。及迎牲，君执紖，卿大夫从士执刍。宗妇执盎从夫人荐涗水。君执鸾刀羞哜，夫人荐豆，此之谓夫妇亲之。 |
| Ji Tong: |
The ruler, in the dark-coloured square-topped cap, stood at the top of the steps on the east; his wife in her head-dress and pheasant-embroidered robe stood in the eastern chamber. The ruler from his mace-handled libation-cup poured out the fragrant spirit before the personator of the dead; and the great minister in charge of the temple with his halfmace-handled cup poured the second libation (for the wife). When the victim was introduced, the ruler held it by the rope; the ministers and Great officers followed; other officers carried the dried grass (to lay on the ground when it should be killed); the wives of the ruler's surname followed the wife with the basins; she presented the purified liquid; the ruler held in his hand the knife with bells; he prepared the lungs (to be offered to the personator); and his wife put them on the dishes and presented them. All this shows what is meant in saying that husband and wife had their parts which they personally performed. |
| | 祭统: |
及入舞，君执干戚就舞位，君为东上，冕而揔干，率其群臣，以乐皇尸。是故天子之祭也，与天下乐之；诸侯之祭也，与竟内乐之。冕而揔干，率其群臣，以乐皇尸，此与竟内乐之之义也。 |
| Ji Tong: |
When they went in for the dance, the ruler, holding his shield and axe, went to the place for the performance. He took his station at the head of those on the east, and in his square-topped cap,, carrying his shield, he led on all his officers, to give pleasure to the august personator of the dead. Hence the son of Heaven in his sacrifices (gave expression to) the joy of all in the kingdom. (In the same way) the feudal princes at their sacrifices (gave expression to) the joy of all within their territories. In their square-topped caps, and carrying their shields, they led on all their officers, to give joy to the august personators - with the idea of showing the joy of all within their territories. |
| | 祭统: |
夫祭有三重焉：献之属，莫重于裸，声莫重于升歌，舞莫重于《武宿夜》，此周道也。凡三道者，所以假于外而以增君子之志也，故与志进退；志轻则亦轻，志重则亦重。轻其志而求外之重也，虽圣人弗能得也。是故君子之祭也，必身自尽也，所以明重也。道之以礼，以奉三重，而荐诸皇尸，此圣人之道也。 |
| Ji Tong: |
At a sacrifice there were three things specially important. Of the offerings there was none more important than the libation; of the music there was none more important than the singing in the hall. above; of the pantomimic evolutions there was none more important than that representing (king) Wu's (army) on the night (before his battle). Such was the practice of the Zhou dynasty. All the three things were designed to increase the aim of the superior man by the use of these external representations. Hence their movements in advancing and retreating were regulated by (the degree of) that aim. If it were less intense, they were lighter; if it were more intense, they were more vehement. If the aim were less intense, and they sought to make the outward representation more vehement, even a sage could not have accomplished this. Therefore the superior man, in sacrificing, exerted himself to the utmost in order to give clear expression to these more important things. He conducted everything according to the rules of ceremony, thereby giving prominent exhibition to them, and displaying them to the august personator - Such was the method of the sages. |
| | 祭统: |
夫祭有餕；餕者祭之末也，不可不知也。是故古之人有言曰：“善终者如始。”餕其是已。是故古之君子曰：“尸亦餕鬼神之馀也，惠术也，可以观政矣。”是故尸谡，君与卿四人餕。君起，大夫六人餕；臣餕君之馀也。大夫起，士八人餕；贱餕贵之馀也。士起，各执其具以出，陈于堂下，百官进，彻之，下餕上之馀也。 |
| Ji Tong: |
At sacrifices there are the provisions that are left. The dealing with these is the least important thing in sacrifices, but it is necessary to take knowledge of it. Hence there is the saying of antiquity, 'The end must be attended to even as the beginning:'--there is an illustration of it in these leavings. Hence it was the remark of a superior man of antiquity, that 'The personator also eats what the spirits have left;--it is a device of kindness, in which may be seen (the method of) government.' Hence, when the personator rose, the ruler and his three ministers partook of what he had left. When the ruler had risen, the six Great officers partook;-the officers partook of what the ruler had left. When the Great officers rose, the eight officers partook - the lower in rank ate what the higher had left. When these officers rose, each one took what was before him and went out, and placed it (in the court) below the hall, when all the inferior attendants entered and removed it - the inferior class ate what the superior had left. |
| | 祭统: |
凡餕之道，每变以众，所以别贵贱之等，而兴施惠之象也。是故以四簋黍见其修于庙中也。庙中者竟内之象也。祭者泽之大者也。是故上有大泽则惠必及下，顾上先下后耳。非上积重而下有冻馁之民也。是故上有大泽，则民夫人待于下流，知惠之必将至也，由餕见之矣。故曰：“可以观政矣。” |
| Ji Tong: |
Every change in the disposal of these relics was marked by an increase in the number (of those who partook of them); and thus there was marked the distinction between the degrees of the noble and the mean, and a representation given of the dispensation of benefits (by the sovereign). Hence by means of the four vessels of millet there is shown the cultivation of this in the ancestral temple, which becomes thereby a representation of all comprised within the confines (of the state). What is done at sacrifices afforded the greatest example of the dispensation of favours. Hence when the superior possessed the greatest blessing, acts of favour were sure to descend from him to those below him, the only difference being that he enjoyed the blessing first, and those below him afterwards;--there was no such thing as the superior's accumulating a great amount for himself, while the people below him might be suffering from cold and want. Therefore when the superior enjoyed his great blessing, even private individuals waited till the stream should flow down, knowing that his favours would surely come to them. This was shown by what was done with the relics at sacrifices, and hence came the saying that 'By the dealing with these was seen (the method of) government.' |
| | 祭统: |
夫祭之为物大矣，其兴物备矣。顺以备者也，其教之本与？是故，君子之教也，外则教之以尊其君长，内则教之以孝于其亲。是故，明君在上，则诸臣服从；崇事宗庙社稷，则子孙顺孝。尽其道，端其义，而教生焉。 |
| Ji Tong: |
Sacrifice is the greatest of all things. Its apparatus of things employed in it is complete, but that completeness springs from all being in accordance with the requirements (of nature and reason) is it not this which enables us to find in it the basis of all the lessons of the sages? Therefore those lessons, in the external sphere, inculcated the honouring of the ruler and of elders, and, in the internal sphere, filial piety towards parents. Hence, when there was an intelligent ruler above, all his ministers submitted to and followed him. When he reverently sacrificed in his ancestral temple, and at the altars to the (spirits of the) land and grain, his sons and grandsons were filially obedient. He did all his duty in his own walk, and was correct in his righteousness; and thence grew up the lessons (of all duty). |
| | 祭统: |
是故君子之事君也，必身行之，所不安于上，则不以使下；所恶于下，则不以事上；非诸人，行诸己，非教之道也。是故君子之教也，必由其本，顺之至也，祭其是与？故曰：祭者，教之本也已。 |
| Ji Tong: |
Therefore a superior man, in the service of his ruler, should find (guidance for) all his personal conduct. What does not satisfy him in (the behaviour of) his superiors, he will not show in his employment of those below himself; and what he dislikes in the behaviour of those below him, he will not show in the service of his superiors. To disapprove of anything in another, and do the same himself, is contrary to the rule of instruction. Therefore the superior in the inculcation of his lessons, ought to proceed from the foundation (of all duty). This will show him pursuing the greatest method of what is natural and right in the highest degree; and is not this what is seen in sacrifice? Hence we have the saying that 'The first and greatest teaching is to be found in sacrifice.' |
| | 祭统: |
夫祭有十伦焉；见事鬼神之道焉，见君臣之义焉，见父子之伦焉，见贵贱之等焉，见亲疏之杀焉，见爵赏之施焉，见夫妇之别焉，见政事之均焉，见长幼之序焉，见上下之际焉。此之谓十伦。 |
| Ji Tong: |
In sacrifice there is a recognition of what belongs to ten relationships. There are seen in it the method of serving spiritual Beings; the righteousness between ruler and subject; the relation between father and son; the degrees of the noble and mean; the distance gradually increasing between relatives; the bestowment of rank and reward; the separate duties of husband and wife; impartiality in government affairs; the order to be observed between old and young; and the boundaries of high and low. These are what are called the (different duties in the) ten relationships. |
| | 祭统: |
铺筵设同几，为依神也；诏祝于室，而出于祊，此交神明之道也。 |
| Ji Tong: |
The spreading of the mat and placing on it a stool to serve for two, was intended as a resting-place for the united spirits (of husband and wife). The instruction to the blesser in the apartment and the going out to the inside of the gate, was the method pursued in (seeking) communion with the spirits. |
| | 祭统: |
君迎牲而不迎尸，别嫌也。尸在庙门外，则疑于臣，在庙中则全于君；君在庙门外则疑于君，入庙门则全于臣、全于子。是故，不出者，明君臣之义也。 |
| Ji Tong: |
The ruler went to meet the victim, but not to meet the representative of the dead;-to avoid misconstruction. While the representative was outside the gate of the temple, he was to be regarded only as a subject; inside the temple, he had the full character of a ruler. While the ruler was outside the gate of the temple, he was there the ruler; when he entered that gate (on the occasion of the sacrifice), he had the full character of a subject, or a son. Hence his not going forth (to meet the representative) made clear the right distinction between the ruler and subject. |
| | 祭统: |
夫祭之道，孙为王父尸。所使为尸者，于祭者子行也；父北面而事之，所以明子事父之道也。此父子之伦也。 |
| Ji Tong: |
According to the rule in sacrifices, a grandson acted as the representative of his grandfather. Though employed to act the part of representative, yet he was only the son of the sacrificer. When his father, with his face to the north, served him, he made clear how it is the way of a son to serve his father. Thus (sacrifice) illustrated the relation of father and son. |
| | 祭统: |
尸饮五，君洗玉爵献卿；尸饮七，以瑶爵献大夫；尸饮九，以散爵献士及群有司，皆以齿。明尊卑之等也。 |
| Ji Tong: |
When the representative had drunk the fifth cup, the ruler washed the cup of jade, and presented it to the ministers. When he had drunk the seventh cup, that of green jasper was presented to the Great officers. When he had drunk the ninth cup, the plain one varnished was presented to the ordinary officers, and all who were taking part in the service. In all the classes the cup passed from one to another, according to age; and thus were shown the degrees of rank as more honourable and lower. |
| | 祭统: |
夫祭有昭穆，昭穆者，所以别父子、远近、长幼、亲疏之序而无乱也。是故，有事于大庙，则群昭群穆咸在而不失其伦。此之谓亲疏之杀也。 |
| Ji Tong: |
At the sacrifice the parties taking part in it were arranged on the left and right, according to their order of descent from the common ancestor, and thus the distinction was maintained between the order of fathers and sons, the near and the distant, the older and the younger, the more nearly related and the more distantly, and there, was no confusion. Therefore at the services in the grand ancestral temple, all in the two lines of descent were present, and no one failed to receive his proper place in their common relationship. This was what was called (showing) the distance gradually increasing between relatives. |
| | 祭统: |
古者，明君爵有德而禄有功，必赐爵禄于大庙，示不敢专也。故祭之日，一献，君降立于阼阶之南，南乡。所命北面，史由君右执策命之。再拜稽首。受书以归，而舍奠于其庙。此爵赏之施也。 |
| Ji Tong: |
Anciently the intelligent rulers conferred rank on the virtuous, and emoluments on the meritorious; and the rule was that this should take place in the Grand temple, to show that they did not dare to do it on their own private motion. Therefore, on the day of sacrifice, after the first presenting (of the cup to the representative), the ruler descended and stood on the south of the steps on the east, with his face to the south, while those who were to receive their appointments stood facing the north. The recorder was on the right of the ruler, holding the tablets on which the appointments were written. He read these, and (each man) bowed twice, with his head to the ground, received the writing, returned (home), and presented it in his (own) ancestral temple - such was the way in which rank and reward were given. |
| | 祭统: |
君卷冕立于阼，夫人副褘立于东房。夫人荐豆执校，执醴授之执镫。尸酢夫人执柄，夫人受尸执足。夫妇相授受，不相袭处，酢必易爵。明夫妇之别也。 |
| Ji Tong: |
The ruler, in the dragon robe and square-topped cap, stood at the top of the steps on the east, while his wife in her head-dress and pheasant-embroidered robe, stood in the chamber on the east. When the wife presented and put down the dishes or, stands, she held them by the foot; (the officer) who held the vessels with new wine, presented them to her, holding them by the bottom; when the representative of the dead was handing, the cup to the wife, he held it by, the handle, and she gave it to him by the foot; when husband and wife were giving and receiving, the one did not touch the place where the other had held the article; in passing the pledge cup, they changed the cups - so was the distinction to be maintained between husband and wife shown. |
| | 祭统: |
凡为俎者，以骨为主。骨有贵贱；殷人贵髀，周人贵肩，凡前贵于后。俎者，所以明祭之必有惠也。是故，贵者取贵骨，贱者取贱骨。贵者不重，贱者不虚，示均也。惠均则政行，政行则事成，事成则功立。功之所以立者，不可不知也。俎者，所以明惠之必均也。善为政者如此，故曰：见政事之均焉。 |
| Ji Tong: |
In all arrangements with the stands, the chief attention was given to the bones. Some bones were considered nobler, and some meaner. Under the Yin they preferred the thigh bone; and under the Zhou, the shoulder bone. Generally, the bones in front were thought nobler than those behind. The stands served to illustrate the rule in sacrifices of showing favours. Hence the nobler, guests received the nobler bones, and the lower, the less noble; the nobler did not receive very much, and the lower were not left without any - impartiality was thus shown. With impartiality of favours, government proceeded freely; with the free proceeding of government, undertakings were accomplished; with the accomplishment of undertakings, merit was established. It is necessary that the way in which merit is established should be known. The stands served to show the rule for the impartial bestowment of favours. So did the skilful administrators of government proceed, and hence it is said that (sacrifices showed the principle of) impartiality in the business of government. |
| | 祭统: |
凡赐爵，昭为一，穆为一。昭与昭齿，穆与穆齿，凡群有司皆以齿，此之谓长幼有序。 |
| Ji Tong: |
Whenever they came to the (general) circulation of the cup, those whose place was on the left stood in one row, and also those whose place was on the right. The members of each row had places according to their age; and in the same way were arranged all the assistants at the service. This was what was called (exhibiting) the order of the old and young. |
| | 祭统: |
夫祭有畀辉胞翟阍者，惠下之道也。唯有德之君为能行此，明足以见之，仁足以与之。畀之为言与也，能以其馀畀其下者也。辉者，甲吏之贱者也；胞者，肉吏之贱者也；翟者，乐吏之贱者也；阍者，守门之贱者也。古者不使刑人守门，此四守者，吏之至贱者也。尸又至尊；以至尊既祭之末，而不忘至贱，而以其馀畀之。是故明君在上，则竟内之民无冻馁者矣，此之谓上下之际。 |
| Ji Tong: |
At sacrifices there were portions given to the skinners, cooks, assistants, feather-wavers, and doorkeepers,--showing how favours should descend to the lowest. Only a virtuous ruler, however, could do this; having intelligence sufficient to perceive (the wisdom of) it, and benevolence equal to the bestowment of it. Apportioning means bestowing; they were able to bestow what was left on those below them. Skinners were the meanest of those who looked after the buff-coats; cooks' assistants, the meanest of those who looked after the flesh; feather-wavers, the meanest of those who had to do with the music; door-keepers, those who looked after the doors; for anciently they did not employ men who had suffered dismemberment to keep the doors. These four classes of keepers were the meanest of the servants; and the representative of the dead was the most honoured of all. When the most honoured, at the close of the sacrifice, did not forget those who were the most mean, but took what was left and bestowed it on them, (it may be seen how) with an intelligent ruler above, there would not be any of the people within his territory who suffered from cold and want. This is what was meant by saying that sacrifices show the relation between high and low. |
| | 祭统: |
凡祭有四时：春祭曰礿，夏祭曰禘，秋祭曰尝，冬祭曰烝。礿、禘，阳义也；尝、烝，阴义也。禘者阳之盛也，尝者阴之盛也。故曰：莫重于禘、尝。古者于禘也，发爵赐服，顺阳义也；于尝也，出田邑，发秋政，顺阴义也。故记曰：“尝之日，发公室，示赏也；草艾则墨；未发秋政，则民弗敢草也。”故曰：禘、尝之义大矣。治国之本也，不可不知也。明其义者君也，能其事者臣也。不明其义，君人不全；不能其事，为臣不全。 |
| Ji Tong: |
For the sacrifices (in the ancestral temple) there were the four seasons. That in spring was called yue; that in summer, di; that in autumn, chang; and that in winter, zheng. The yue and di expressed the idea in the bright and expanding (course of nature); the chang and zheng, that in the sombre and contracting (course). The di showed the former in its fullest development, and the chang showed the latter in the same. Hence it is said, 'There is nothing more important than the di and chang.' Anciently, at the di sacrifice, they conferred rank, and bestowed robes - acting according to the idea in the bright and expanding (course); and at the khang they gave out fields and homesteads, and issued the rules of autumn-work - acting according to the idea in the sombre and contracting (course). Hence it is said in the Record, 'On the day of the chang sacrifice they gave forth (the stores of) the ruler's house;' showing how rewards (were then given). When the plants were cut down, the punishment of branding might be inflicted. Before the rules of autumn-work were issued, the people did not dare to cut down the grass. Hence it is said that 'the ideas in the di and chang are great, and lie at the, foundation of the government of a state; and should by all means be known.' It is for the ruler to know clearly those ideas, and for the minister to be able to execute (what they require). The ruler who does not know the ideas is not complete, and the minister who cannot carry them into execution is not complete. |
| | 祭统: |
夫义者，所以济志也，诸德之发也。是故其德盛者，其志厚；其志厚者，其义章。其义章者，其祭也敬。祭敬则竟内之子孙莫敢不敬矣。是故君子之祭也，必身亲莅之；有故，则使人可也。虽使人也，君不失其义者，君明其义故也。其德薄者，其志轻，疑于其义，而求祭；使之必敬也，弗可得已。祭而不敬，何以为民父母矣？ |
| Ji Tong: |
Now the idea serves to direct and help the aim, and leads to the manifestation of all virtue. Hence he whose virtue is the completest, has the largest aims; and he whose aims are the largest, has the clearest idea. He whose idea is the clearest, will be most reverent in his sacrifices. When the sacrifices (of a state) are reverent, none of the sons and grandsons within its borders will dare to be irreverent. Then the superior man, when he has a sacrifice, will feel it necessary to preside at it in person. if there be a (sufficient) reason for it, he may commit the performance of it to another. But when committing the performance to another, the ruler will not fail (to think) of its meaning, because he understands the ideas in it. He whose virtue is slight, has but a small aim. He who is in doubts as to the idea in it, and will yet seek to be reverent in his sacrifice, will find it impossible to be so; and how can he, who sacrifices without reverence, be the parent of his people? |
| | 祭统: |
夫鼎有铭，铭者，自名也。自名以称扬其先祖之美，而明著之后世者也。为先祖者，莫不有美焉，莫不有恶焉，铭之义，称美而不称恶，此孝子孝孙之心也。唯贤者能之。 |
| Ji Tong: |
The tripods (at the sacrifices) had inscriptions on them. The maker of an inscription named himself, and took occasion to praise and set forth the excellent qualities of his ancestors, and clearly exhibit them to future generations. Those ancestors must have had good qualities and also bad. But the idea of an inscription is to make mention of the good qualifies and not of the bad - such is the heart of a filial descendant; and it is only the man of ability and virtue who can attain to it. |
| | 祭统: |
铭者，论撰其先祖之有德善，功烈勋劳庆赏声名列于天下，而酌之祭器；自成其名焉，以祀其先祖者也。显扬先祖，所以崇孝也。身比焉，顺也。明示后世，教也。 |
| Ji Tong: |
The inscriber discourses about and panegyrises the virtues and goodness of his ancestors, their merits and zeal, their services and toils, the congratulations and rewards (given to them), their fame recognised by all under heaven; and in the discussion of these things on his spiritual vessels, he "makes himself famous; and thus he sacrifices to his ancestors. In the celebration of his ancestors he exalts his filial piety. That he himself appears after them is natural. And in the clear showing (of all this) to future generations, he is giving instruction. |
| | 祭统: |
夫铭者，壹称而上下皆得焉耳矣。是故君子之观于铭也，既美其所称，又美其所为。为之者，明足以见之，仁足以与之，知足以利之，可谓贤矣。贤而勿伐，可谓恭矣。 |
| Ji Tong: |
By the one panegyric of an inscription benefit accrues to the ancestors, to their descendant and to others after them. Hence when a superior man looks at an inscription, while he admires those whom it praises, he also admires him who made it. That maker had intelligence to see (the excellences of his ancestors), virtue to associate himself with them, and wisdom to take advantage (of his position);-he may be pronounced a man of ability and virtue. Such worth without boasting may be pronounced courteous respect. |
| | 祭统: |
故卫孔悝之鼎铭曰：六月丁亥，公假于大庙。公曰：“叔舅！乃祖庄叔，左右成公。成公乃命庄叔随难于汉阳，即宫于宗周，奔走无射。启右献公。献公乃命成叔，纂乃祖服。乃考文叔，兴旧耆欲，作率庆士，躬恤卫国，其勤公家，夙夜不解，民咸曰：‘休哉！’”公曰：“叔舅！予女铭：若纂乃考服。”悝拜稽首曰：“对扬以辟之，勤大命施于烝彝鼎。”此卫孔悝之鼎铭也。 |
| Ji Tong: |
Thus the inscription on the tripod of Kong Kui of Wei was: 'In the sixth month, on the day ding-hai, the duke went to the Grand Temple, and said, "My young uncle, your ancestor Zhuang Shu assisted duke Cheng, who ordered him to follow him in his difficulties on the south of the Han, and afterwards to come to him in his palace (of imprisonment) in the honoured capital of Zhou; and all these hurried journeyings he endured without wearying of them. From him came the helper of duke Xian, who charged your (later) ancestor Zhuang Shu to continue the service of his ancestor. Your deceased father Wen Shu cherished and stimulated in himself the old desires and aims, roused and led on the admirable officers, and showed his own great personal interest in the state of Wei. His labours for our ducal house never wearied early or late, so that the people all testified how good he was." The duke further said, "My young uncle, I give you (this tripod with) its inscription. Carry on and out the services of your father." Kui bowed with his head to the ground, and said, "In response to the distinction (you have conferred upon me) I will take your great and important charge, and I will put it on the vases and tripods of my winter sacrifice."' Such was the inscription on the tripod of Kong Kui of Wei. |
| | 祭统: |
古之君子论撰其先祖之美，而明著之后世者也。以比其身，以重其国家如此。子孙之守宗庙社稷者，其先祖无美而称之，是诬也；有善而弗知，不明也；知而弗传，不仁也。此三者，君子之所耻也。 |
| Ji Tong: |
In this way the superior men of antiquity panegyrised the excellent qualities of their ancestors, and clearly exhibited them to future generations, thereby having the opportunity to introduce their own personality and magnify their states. If descendants who maintain their ancestral temples and the altars to the spirits of the land and grain, praised their ancestors for good qualities which they did not possess, that was falsehood; if they did not take knowledge of the good qualities which they did possess, that showed their want of intelligence; if they knew them and did not transmit them (by their inscriptions), that showed a want of virtue - these are three things of which a superior man should have been ashamed. |
| | 祭统: |
昔者，周公旦有勋劳于天下。周公既没，成王、康王追念周公之所以勋劳者，而欲尊鲁；故赐之以重祭。外祭，则郊社是也；内祭，则大尝禘是也。夫大尝禘，升歌《清庙》，下而管《象》；朱干玉戚，以舞《大武》；八佾，以舞《大夏》；此天子之乐也。康周公，故以赐鲁也。子孙纂之，至于今不废，所以明周公之德而又以重其国也。 |
| Ji Tong: |
Anciently, Dan, duke of Zhou, did most meritorious service for the kingdom. After his death the kings Cheng and Kang, bearing in mind all his admirable work, and wishing to honour Lu, granted to its lords the right of offering the greatest sacrifices - those in the borders of their capital to Heaven and Earth, in the wider sphere of sacrifice; and the great summer and autumnal sacrifices in the ancestral temple of the state. At those great summer and autumnal sacrifices, on the hall above, they sang the Qing Miao, and in the courtyard below it they danced the Xiang to the flute; they carried red shields and axes adorned with jade in performing the Da Wu dance; and this was the music employed by the son of Heaven. (Those kings) in acknowledgment of the great merit of the duke of Zhou, allowed (the use of those sacrifices and this music) to the (marquis of) Lu. His descendants have continued it, and down to the present day it is not abolished, thereby showing clearly the virtue of the lords of Zhou and magnifying their state. |
