Yen-tzŭ made a visit of state to Lu.[2]
In ascending the hall he
hastened. In presenting the jade he knelt. Tzŭ-kung was surprised
at this and aked Confucius, "Does Yen-tzŭ know ritual (li)?
He came today on a visit of state to Lu, and when he ascended
the hall, he hastened; when he presented the jade he knelt. Why
did he do this?"
Confucius said, "He had his reasons. Wait until he [comes to]
see me, and I will ask him about it."
Soon afterward Yen-tzŭ came in, and Confucius asked him
about it. Yen-tzŭ replied, "Now the ritual (li) of ascending the
hall is for the minister to take two steps when the prince steps
once. Today the prince went quickly—did I dare not hasten?
Today the prince received my present on a low level. Did I dare
not kneel?"
Confucius approved, saying, "In the [canon of] ritual there
are even more rites. With the little experience you Tz`ŭ, have had
in such matters,[3]
how can you be up to knowing ritual?"
The Ode says,[3]
Li and ceremonies are all according to rule;
Every smile and word are as they should be.
Yen-tzŭ is an example of this.
