6. That which is most important in ceremonies is
to understand the idea intended in them. While
the idea is missed, the number of things and observances
in them may be correctly exhibited, as that is
the business of the officers of prayer and the
recorders. Hence that may all be exhibited, but it is
difficult to know the idea. The knowledge of that
idea, and the reverent maintenance of it was the
way by which the sons of Heaven secured the good
government of the kingdom.
7. By the united action of heaven and earth all things spring up. Thus the ceremony of marriage is the beginning of a (line that shall last for a) myriad ages. The parties are of different surnames ; thus those who are distant are brought together, and the separation (to be maintained between those who are of the same surname) is emphasised[1]. There must be sincerity in the marriage presents; and all communications (to the woman) must be good. She should be admonished to be upright and sincere. Faithfulness is requisite in all service of others, and faithfulness is (specially) the virtue of a wife. Once mated with her husband, all her life she will not change (her feeling of duty to him), and hence, when
the husband dies she will not marry (again)[2].
- ↑ I do not see how Callery translates here:—"On rapproche ce qui était éioigné, et on unit ce qui était distinct." He says, however, in a note:—"Ceci se rapporte à l'antique loi, encore en vigueur, qui interdit le mariage entre personnes d'un même nom, parce que lors même qu'il n'existe entre elles aucune trace de parenté, il est possible qu'elles proviennent de la même souche, et se trouvent ainsi sur la ligne directe, où les Chinois admettent une parenté sans fin."
- ↑ This brief sentence about a woman not marrying again is not
