1. Tsze-kung asked, saying, "What qualities must a man possess to entitle him to be called an officer?" The Master said, "He who in his conduct of himself maintains a sense of shame, and when sent to any quarter will not disgrace his prince's commission, deserves to be called an officer."

2. Tsze-kung pursued, "I venture to ask who may be placed in the next lower rank?" And he was told, "He whom the circle of his relatives pronounce to be filial, whom his fellow-villagers and neighbours pronounce to be fraternal."

3. Again the disciple asked, "I venture to ask about the class still next in order." The Master said, "They are determined to be sincere in what they say, and to carry out what they do. They are obstinate little men. Yet perhaps they may make the next class."

19. CHARACTERISTICS OF PERFECT VIRTUE. This is the third time that Fan Ch'e is represented as quest. the Master about仁, and it is supposed by some to have been the first in order. 居处 (up. 2d tone), in oppos. to 执事,= 'dwelling alone', 'in retirement'. 之is a verb, as in V. 18,2,=往, 'to go to'.

20. DIFFERENT CLASSES OF MEN WHO IN THEIR SEVERAL DEGREES MAY BE STYLED OFFICERS, AND THE INFERIORITY OF THE MASS OF THE OFFICERS OF CONFUCIUS' TIME. 1. 士,—comp. on XII. 20. Here it denotes—not the scholar, but the officer. 有耻, 'has shame', i.e., will avoid all bad conduct which would subject him to reproach. 2. 宗族, is 'a designation for all who form one body having the same ancestor',—是同宗共族之称. These are also called 九族, 'nine branches of kindred', being all of the same surname from the great-greatgrandfather to the great-great-grandson. 弟=悌, not simply 'brotherly', in the strict sense, but 'submissive', giving due honour to all older than himself. 3. 硜, 'the sound of stones', 硜硜然, 'stone like'. The dict., with ref. to this passage, explains it—小人貌, 'the appearance of a small man'. 4. 斗筲之人 i.e., mere utensils. Comp. on II. 12.

4. Tsze-kung finally inquired, "Of what sort are those of the present day, who engage in government?" The Master said "Pooh! they are so many pecks and hampers, not worth being taken into account."