There is a traditional saying: "Clothes and appearance are
what delight the eyes; repartee and speech are what delight the
ears; likes and dislikes, rejection and retention are what delight
the mind." Thus the superior man is moderate in dress and
correct in appearance, so that the eyes of the people are delighted.
His speech is humble and his repartee apt, so that the ears of the
people are delighted. He retains jên and rejects what is not jên,
so that the people's minds are delighted. With these three [faculties]
preserved in himself, even if he does not take office, his will
be called fitting conduct.[2]
Thus if [a man] preserves the good in
his heart and daily renews it, then dwelling alone he is happy, and
replete with virtue he acts.[3]
The Ode says,[4]
Why does he rest without stirring?
It must be he has someone to be with.
Why does he prolong the time?
There must be a reason for his conduct.
