Page:Brinkley - China - Volume 3.djvu/102

parents as a matter for thankfulness as well as for anxiety.

In serving his parents a son should seldom remonstrate with them. If he is obliged to do so and if he finds that they do not listen, he should yet not fail in respect nor should he disregard their wishes. However much trouble they may give him, he should never complain.

Upright men consider it consistent with true uprightness for a father to be silent regarding the misdeeds of his son and for a son to be silent concerning the misdeeds of his father.

N. B. This is an answer to a feudal prince who alleged that in his fief men were so upright that when a father stole a sheep the son was ready to bear witness against him.

By cultivating respect for the dead and carrying the memory back to the distant past, the moral feelings of the people will awaken and grow in depth.

If I cannot give up heart and soul when I am worshipping, I always consider that I have not worshipped.

One should not be concerned not to be understood of men; one should be concerned not to understand men.

Be not concerned for want of a position; be concerned how to fit yourself for a position. Be not concerned that you are not known, but seek to do something to deserve a reputation.

Men of intelligence are free from doubts, moral men from anxiety, and men of courage from fear.

The moral of all the pieces in the “Book of Songs” may be summed up in one sentence, “Have no vile thoughts.”