Page:Sacred Books of the East - Volume 27.djvu/136

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118
THE Lî Kî.
BK. I.

called "the sovereign grandfather;" a grandmother, "the sovereign grandmother;" a father, "the sovereign father;" a mother, "the sovereign mother;" a husband, "the sovereign pattern." 14. While (they are) alive, the names of father (fû), mother (mû), and wife (khi) are used; when they are dead, those of "the completed one (khâo)," "the corresponding one (pî)," and "the honoured one (pin)." Death in old age is called "a finished course (jû);" an early death, "being unsalaried (pû lû)."

7. 15. The son of Heaven does not look at a person above his collar or below his girdle; the ruler of a state looks at him a little lower (than the collar); a Great officer, on a line with his heart; and an ordinary officer, not from beyond a distance of five paces. In all cases looks directed above to the face denote pride, and below the girdle grief; directed askance, they denote villainy.

8. 16. When the ruler orders (any special business) from a Great officer or (other) officer, he should assiduously discharge it; in their offices speaking (only) of the official business; in the treasury, of treasury business; in the arsenals, of arsenal business; and in the court, of court business. 17. At court there should be no speaking about dogs and horses. When the audience is over, and one looks about him, if he be not attracted by some strange thing, he must have strange thoughts in his mind. When one keeps looking about him after the business of the court is over, a superior man will pronounce him uncultivated. At court the conversation should be according to the rules of propriety;