Confucian Canon, 711>

711
"The mean man does not know the ordinances of Heaven, and consequently does not stand in awe of them. He is
disrespectful to great men. He makes sport of the words of sages."
712
Confucius said, "Those who are born with the possession of knowledge are the highest class of men. Those who learn,
and so readily get possession of knowledge, are the next. Those who are dull and stupid, and yet compass the
learning, are another class next to these. As to those who are dull and stupid and yet do not learn;-they are the lowest
of the people."
713
Confucius said, "The superior man has nine things which are subjects with him of thoughtful consideration. In regard to
the use of his eyes, he is anxious to see clearly. In regard to the use of his ears, he is anxious to hear distinctly. In
regard to his countenance, he is anxious that it should be benign. In regard to his demeanor, he is anxious that it should
be respectful. In regard to his speech, he is anxious that it should be sincere. In regard to his doing of business, he is
anxious that it should be reverently careful. In regard to what he doubts about, he is anxious to question others. When
he is angry, he thinks of the difficulties his anger may involve him in. When he sees gain to be got, he thinks of
righteousness."
714
Confucius said, "Contemplating good, and pursuing it, as if they could not reach it; contemplating evil! and shrinking
from it, as they would from thrusting the hand into boiling water:-I have seen such men, as I have heard such words.
715
"Living in retirement to study their aims, and practicing righteousness to carry out their principles:-I have heard these
words, but I have not seen such men."
716
The Duke Ching of Ch'i had a thousand teams, each of four horses, but on the day of his death, the people did not
praise him for a single virtue. Po-i and Shu-ch'i died of hunger at the foot of the Shau-yang mountains, and the people,
down to the present time, praise them.
717
"Is not that saying illustrated by this?"
718
Ch'an K'ang asked Po-yu, saying, "Have you heard any lessons from your father different from what we have all
heard?"
719
Po-yu replied, "No. He was standing alone once, when I passed below the hall with hasty steps, and said to me, 'Have
you learned the Odes?' On my replying 'Not yet,' he added, If you do not learn the Odes, you will not be fit to
converse with.' I retired and studied the Odes.
720
"Another day, he was in the same way standing alone, when I passed by below the hall with hasty steps, and said to
me, 'Have you learned the rules of Propriety?' On my replying 'Not yet,' he added, 'If you do not learn the rules of
Propriety, your character cannot be established.' I then retired, and learned the rules of Propriety.
721
"I have heard only these two things from him."