A.
There is delight, said the , in plain food and water while pillowing the head on the arm. I would keep ill-gotten wealth and rank as far away as floating cloud.
B.
Lin Fang asked about the fundamental of the rites. “A significant question!” said the . “In ritual performance, it would be better to be thrift than lavish; in mourning service, it would be better to be deep in grief than minute in observance.”
C.
Extravagance, said the , leads to insubordination, and frugality to obstinacy. But it would be far better to be obstinate than to be insubordinate.
D.
In a country of a thousand war-chariots, said the , the ruler should be respectful in deed and faithful in word, thrifty in expenditure and affectionate towards the people and tell them to labor at the proper times of the year.