| | There are also those who remain unconfused even in times of adversity—King Cheng and Ji Lu were such people. In the past, when King Cheng was about to die, he clothed himself in his ceremonial robes and hat before uttering the words of Gu Ming (Final Instructions); Ji Lu encountered chaos; he fastened his sash and then died in the peril of a sword's blade. Even when faced with hardship and the danger of a white-bladed weapon, they still did not forget reverence; how much more so in times of leisure and feasting! Therefore, the Shi Jing says: "When the river is deep, cross it with a boat;" when the river is shallow, swim or wade across it." It means that one must surely cross. A gentleman's mouth utters no jesting or frivolous words; whenever he speaks, there is always caution. His conduct contains no jesting or frivolous actions; whenever he acts, there is necessarily self-discipline. Therefore, even wives and concubines cannot become disrespectful toward him, nor can friends become overly familiar with him. Therefore, without anger or wrath, his virtue and conduct prevail within the household; without admonition or instruction, his moral influence spreads throughout the local community. The Chuan says that a great person rectifies himself and thus all things naturally become upright—this is what it means. Even in the position of an ordinary man, this is still so; how much more so for those who have achieved success and govern the world! Tang Yao, as emperor, was indeed respectful and courteous, thus his radiance extended to the four quarters. King Cheng Tang dared not be negligent or idle, thereby possessing all nine regions of the land. King Wen, reverent and fearful, established order in that great region (Zhonghua). The Yi Jing says: "In Guan, one washes his hands but does not present the offering. With sincere faith and a solemn expression." It means that from above, one observes and thereby transforms others. The cause of misfortune and failure lies in the use of indecency and carelessness as a path—how can one afford to be careless! In the past, Song Min lost his head over a game of Go; Chen Ling suffered misfortune from careless words; Yan Bing incited rebellion through mutual insults; Zi Gong was killed by his own son due to indulging in turtle meat. Therefore, a gentleman maintains humility in conduct, shows courtesy toward opponents, behaves with solemnity when dealing with inferiors, and demonstrates reverence when serving superiors; When these four virtues are fully present, grievances and misfortunes will not arise, and blessings and emoluments will follow. The Shi Jing says: "Maintain your position with tranquility and reverence; associate with those who are upright and sincere." The spirits will hear this, and thus bestow blessings upon you. Therefore, a gentleman's interaction with others is joyful yet not indecent, harmonious yet not uniform; he likes them without flattery or deceit, studies without empty actions; He is easy to be close to yet hard to please, often resented but rarely blamed; Therefore, there are no severed friendships and no abandoned companions. The Shu Jing says: "Be cautious at the beginning and reverent until the end, so as not to fall into distress." Ritual is essential for a person; it can be followed throughout one's life and must never be abandoned, even for a moment. If one departs from ritual even momentarily, then careless and disrespectful conduct will soon follow; For a moment's forgetfulness, the mind of carelessness and disrespect will arise. How much less can one begin and end life without ritual!
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