34 POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY 



vation of their own selves, and that again by rectification of the heart, fol- 

 lowing upon sincerity of purpose which comes from extension of knowledge, 

 this last being derived from due investigation of objective existences. 



The Chung Yung, or ' Doctrine of the Mean ' (or as Julien renders 

 it 'LTnvariable Milieu/ or Williams, 'The Just Medium'), was also 

 formerly a part of the ' Book of Bites/ and was compiled about 388 

 B.C. by K'ung Chi, the grandson of Confucius. Although in some 

 respects the most elaborate treatise in the series (33 chapters), it is 

 merely an enlargement upon certain general principles of the writer's 

 grandfather concerning the motives and conduct of an ideal perfect 

 man who ' without deflection or bias ' pursues ' a course which never 

 varies in direction.' Though in general rather monotonous there are 

 some sprightly passages, for example, the following : 



The princely man enters into no situation where he is not himself. If 

 in a high position he holds no contempt for those below him; if in an inferior 

 station, he uses no mean arts to curry favor with his superiors. He corrects 

 himself and blames not others; never dissatisfied, he murmurs not at Heaven 

 and feels no resentment toward man. Hence, the superior or princely man 

 dwells at ease, entirely awaiting the will of Heaven. 



Mankind is divided into three classes: (1) shing, or sages; (2) 

 Men, or worthies; (3) yu, or worthless. 



Men of the highest order, as sages, worthies, philanthropists, and heroes, 

 are good without instruction; men of the middle class, such as farmers, physi- 

 cians, astrologers, soldiers, etc., are good after instruction; while those of the 

 lowest, as actors, pettifoggers, slaves, swindlers, etc., are bad in spite of 

 instruction. 



Sincerity is described as " the origin or consummation of all 

 things ; without it, there would be nothing. It is benevolence by which 

 a man's self is perfected, and knowledge by which he perfects others." 

 In another place we read ' one sincere wish would move heaven and 

 earth.' The description which K'ung Chi has given of a true sage was 

 probably intended to elevate the character of his grandfather to this 

 height — a standard of excellence so high as to be unattainable by 

 unaided human nature. 



It is only the sage who possesses that clear discrimination and profound 

 intelligence which fit him for a high station; who possesses that enlarged 

 liberality and mild benignity which fit him to bear with others; who mani- 

 fests that firmness and magnanimity that enable him to hold fast good prin- 

 ciples; who is actuated by that benevolence, justice, propriety and knowledge 

 which command reverence ; and whose thorough acquaintance with polite learning 

 and good principles qualifies him rightly to discriminate. Therefore his fame 

 overflows the Middle Kingdom, and reaches the barbarians of north and 

 south. Wherever ships and wagons can go, or the strength of man can pene- 

 trate; wherever there is heaven above and the earth beneath; wherever the sun 

 and moon shine, or frosts and dews fall, — all who have blood and breath honor 

 and love him. Wherefore it may be said that he is a perfect and holy man, — 

 the peer of God. 



The Lun Yu, or Analects of Confucius, is a record of the words and 

 actions of the Sage compiled by the collective body of bis first apostles 



