Confucius was studying the lute under the music master Hsiang-tzŭ,[2]
but made no progress. Master Hsiang-tzŭ said, "It is within
your power, sir, to make progress."
Confucius said, "I have already grasped the melody, but as
yet I have not got the structure [of this music]."
After a while [Hsiang-tzŭ] said, "It is within your power, sir,
to make [more] progress."
[Confucius] said, "I have already grasped the structure, but
as yet I do not have its meaning."
After a while [Hsiang-tzŭ] again said, "It is within your power,
sir, to make [more] progress," and [Confucius] said, ["I have
already got its meaning, but I have not yet got the man."
After a while (Hsiang-tzŭ) again said, "It is within your
power, sir, to make (more) progress," and (Confucius) said,][3]
"I have already got the man [who composed the piece], but
I still have not managed to place him." For a while he gazed
off into the distance, lost in deep thought. Then he said,[4]
"Pensive
and majestic is he who must have composed this music. Darkly
black,[5]
and grandly tall[6]
he rules the empire and attracts to his
court the feudal lords: it can be no other than King Wên."
Master Hsiang-tzŭ withdrew from the mat, bowed twice, and
said, "Good. Music masters attribute this song to King Wên."
So it was that Confucius, in apprehending the sounds [composed
by] King Wên knew what he must be like as a man.
Master Hsiang-tzŭ said, "I venture to ask how you knew the
song was by King Wên?"
Confucius said, "A man characterized by jên values repression;[7]
(?) a harmonious man values decoration; a wise man values simplicity,[8]
(?) and a man with the intention of being sincere values
beauty. (??) This is how I knew it was song by King Wên."[9]
Traditionally,[10]
that man is a saint who penetrates to the true
nature of a thing from having experienced [only] its external
manifestations.
