“Amongst his own countryfolk Confucius wore a homely look, like one who has no word to say.  In the ancestral temple and at court his speech was full, but cautious.  At court he talked frankly to men of low rank, winningly to men of high rank.  In the Marquis’s presence he looked intent and solemn.

“When the Marquis bade him receive guests, his face seemed to change, his knees to bend.  He bowed left and right to those behind him, straightened his robes in front and behind, and sped forward, his elbows spread like wings.  When the guest had left, he always reported it, saying:  ’The guest has ceased to look back.’

“Entering the palace gate he stooped, as though it were too low for him.  He did not stand in the middle of the gate, nor step on the threshold.  Passing the throne, his face seemed to change, his knees to bend; and he spoke with bated breath.  Mounting the royal dais, he lifted his robes, bowed his back and masked his breathing till it seemed to stop.  Coming down, his face relaxed below the first step, and bore a pleased look.  From the foot of the steps he sped forward, his elbows spread like wings; and when again in his seat, he looked intent as before.  He held his hands not higher than in bowing, nor lower than in giving a present.  He wore an awed look and dragged his feet, as though they were fettered.”

Which means that he felt the royal office to be sacred, as the seat of authority and government, the symbol and representative of heaven, the fountain of order:  in its origin, divine.  He treated Marquis Ting as if he had been Yao, Shun, or Yu; or rather, the Marquis’s throne and office as if one of these had held them.  There is the long history of China to prove he was wise in the example he set.

“When presenting royal gifts his manner was formal; but he was cheerful at the private audience.—­This gentleman was never arrayed in maroon or scarlet; even at home he would not wear red or purple.  In hot weather he wore unlined linen clothes, but always over other garments.  Over lambskin he wore black; over fawn he wore white; over fox-skin he wore yellow.  At home he wore a long fur robe with the right sleeve short.  He always had his night-gown half as long again as his body.  In the house he wore fox- or badger-skin for warmth.  When out of mourning there was nothing wanting from his girdle.  Except for court-dress, he was sparing of stuff.  He did not wear lamb’s wool, or a black cap, on a visit of condolence.  On the first day of the moon he always went to court in court dress.  On fast days he always donned clothes of pale hue, changed his food, and moved from his wonted seat.  He did not dislike his rice cleaned with care, nor his hash copped small.  He would not eat sour or mouldy rice, putrid fish, or tainted meat.  Aught discolored or high, badly cooked, or out of season, he would not eat.  He would not eat what was badly cut, or a dish with the wrong sauce.  A choice of meats could not tempt him to eat more than he had a relish for.  To wine alone he set no limit; but he never drunk more than enough.  He did not drink brought wine, or eat ready-dried meat.  He did not eat much.  Ginger was never missing at his table.