Duke Ching of Ch`i gave himself over to wine. Drunk, he
loosened his clothes and cap, and [began] to play on a lute for
his own enjoyment. Turning to his attendants, he said, "Does the
perfectly good (jen) man also take pleasure in this sort of
thing?"[2]
His attendants said, "The ears and eyes of the man who is
perfectly good are like those of other people; why should he not
enjoy it?"
Duke Ching said, "Send a carriage to fetch Yen-tzŭ." Yen-tzŭ
had heard [of what was going on], and came dressed in court
costume. Duke Ching said, "Today I have been enjoying this,
and I would like to share [my pleasure] with the Great Officers.
[Let us dispense with propriety (li).]"[3]
Yen-tzŭ said, "What Your Highness proposes is wrong. In the
state of Ch`i, men of five ch`ih[4]
and upwards [in height] are all
of them strong enough to overcome you or me. The reason they
do not dare do so is out of respect for propriety (li). Truly, if
the Son of Heaven lacks propriety, he will have no means of
protecting the altars of Earth and Grain; if the feudal lords lack
propriety, they will have no means of protecting their states. If
those in a superior position lack propriety, they will have no way
of employing those under them. If those in a subordinate position
lack propriety, they will have no way of serving their superiors.
If the Great Officers lack propriety, they will have no way of
keeping their own houses in order. If brothers lack propriety,
they will be unable to live together. If a common man lacks
propriety, he had best quickly die."[5]
Duke Ching, shamefaced, got off the mat and made his excuses,
"I am devoid of goodness (jên). I have been brought to this by
evil attendants who befuddled me with drink. Let me put the
attendants to death to make good their transgression."
Yen-tzŭ said, "The attendants have transgressed in nothing.
If Your Highness were fond of propriety, then men with propriety
would come to you, while those lacking propriety would leave.
If you dislike propriety, then those lacking propriety will come,
while men with propriety will leave. Of what crime are the
attendants guilty?"
Duke Ching approved, and, having changed his clothes, took
his seat. When the wine beaker had three times passed around,
Yen-tzŭ took his leave. Duke Ching escorted him out, bowing.
The Ode says,[6]
If a man observes no propriety,
Why does he not quickly die?
