udge in his own
country of Lu. His tenure of office is said to have put an end to
crime, and he became the "idol of the people" in his district. The
jealousy of the feudal lords was roused by his fame as a moral teacher
and a blameless judge. Confucius was driven from his home, and
wandered about, with a few disciples, until his sixty-ninth year, when
he returned to Lu, after accomplishing a work which has borne fruit,
such as it is, to the present day. He spent the remaining five years
of his life in editing the odes and historic monuments in which the
glories of the ancient Chinese dynasty are set forth. He died in his
seventy-third year, 478 B.C. There can be no doubt that the success of
Confucius has been singularly great, owing especially to the narrow
scope of his scheme, which has become crystallized in the habits,
usages, and customs of the people. Especially has it been instrumental
in consolidating the empire, and in strengthening the power of the
monarch, who, as he every year burns incense in the red-walled temple
at Pekin, utters sincerely the invocation: "Great art thou, O perfect
Sage! Thy virtue is full, thy doctrine complete. Among mortal men
there has not been thine equal. All kings honor thee. Thy statutes and
laws have come gloriously down. Thou art the pattern in this imperial
school. Reverently have the sacrificial vessels been set out. Full of
awe, we sound our drums and bells."

E. W.

BOOK I

_On Learning--Miscellaneous Sayings_

"To learn," said the Master, "and then to practise opportunely what
one has learnt--does not this bring with it a sense of satisfaction?

"To have associates in study coming to one from distant parts--does
not this also mean pleasure in store?

"And are not those who, while not comprehending all that is said,
still remain not unpleased to hear, men of the superior order?"

A saying of the Scholar Yu:--

"It is rarely the case that those who act the part of true men in
regard to their duty to parents and elder brothers are at the same
time willing to turn currishly upon their superiors: it has never yet
been the case that such as desire not to commit that offence have been
men willing to promote anarchy or disorder.

"Men of superior mind busy themselves first in getting at the root of
things; and when they have succeeded in this the right course is open
to them. Well, are not filial piety