Requested to say more, he added, “And do not tire of it.”

Chung-kung, on being made first minister to the Chief of the Ki family, consulted the Master about government, and to him he said, “Let the heads of offices be heads.  Excuse small faults.  Promote men of sagacity and talent.”

“But,” he asked, “how am I to know the sagacious and talented, before promoting them?”

“Promote those whom you do know,” said the Master.

“As to those of whom you are uncertain, will others omit to notice them?”

Tsz-lu said to the Master, “As the prince of Wei, sir, has been waiting for you to act for him in his government, what is it your intention to take in hand first?”

“One thing of necessity,” he answered—­“the rectification of terms.”

“That!” exclaimed Tsz-lu.  “How far away you are, sir!  Why such rectification?”

“What a rustic you are, Tsz-lu!” rejoined the Master.  “A gentleman would be a little reserved and reticent in matters which he does not understand.  If terms be incorrect, language will be incongruous; and if language be incongruous, deeds will be imperfect.  So, again, when deeds are imperfect, propriety and harmony cannot prevail, and when this is the case laws relating to crime will fail in their aim; and if these last so fail, the people will not know where to set hand or foot.  Hence, a man of superior mind, certain first of his terms, is fitted to speak; and being certain of what he says can proceed upon it.  In the language of such a person there is nothing heedlessly irregular—­and that is the sum of the matter.”

Fan Ch’i requested that he might learn something of husbandry.  “For that.” said the Master, “I am not equal to an old husbandman.”  Might he then learn something of gardening? he asked.  “I am not equal to an old gardener.” was the reply.

“A man of little mind, that!” said the Master, when Fan Ch’i had gone out.  “Let a man who is set over the people love propriety, and they will not presume to be disrespectful.  Let him be a lover of righteousness, and they will not presume to be aught but submissive.  Let him love faithfulness and truth, and they will not presume not to lend him their hearty assistance.  Ah, if all this only were so, the people from all sides would come to such a one, carrying their children on their backs.  What need to turn his hand to husbandry?

“Though a man,” said he, “could hum through the Odes—­the three hundred—­yet should show himself unskilled when given some administrative work to do for his country; though he might know much of that other lore, yet if, when sent on a mission to any quarter, he could answer no question personally and unaided, what after all is he good for?

“Let a leader,” said he, “show rectitude in his own personal character, and even without directions from him things will go well.  If he be not personally upright, his directions will not be complied with.”