ON ITEMS OF CFTINESE ETHICS AND PHILOSOPHY. 43 



dour and plenty. I ought to sound the present disposition 

 of his heart. If I should treat him with my ordinary fami- 

 harity it is to be feared that he will give me a very cold 

 reception, so ay to keep me at a distance. On the other 

 hand, my friend who was rich may fall into poverty. After 

 such a change of fortune I ought to treat him with greater 

 regard than ever, otherwise he may suspect that I affect an 

 indifference in order to break off all correspondence with 

 him. "Friendships,'' say the ancients, "that are formed 

 slowly, and without much ceremony, are commonly dui-able." 

 5. Of the duties of kinsmen, — To disregard or disown kinsmen 

 is great pride and vile ingratitude ; to protect them when 

 they need assistance, and succour them in misery is the effect 

 of great virtue. " If I be in a condition to do a poor relation 

 the service which he expects of me, I ought to do it gene- 

 rously, and enhance my gujod office with the obliging manner 

 of doing it." In such a matter " consult your heart and your 

 abilities, and do the best you can to give assistance." Above 

 all, promise nothing but wdiat you mean to perform. How 

 are mutual misunderstandings between relations and neigh- 

 bours to be guarded against '? It is by bearing with each 

 other, and remembering that if your friend has some trouble- 

 some qualities you have the same which he must pardon in 

 his turn. But if he pretends to domineer in every little dis- 

 pute, that is the way to perpetuate feuds and enmities. If 

 in company you boast of being akin to a rich and dignified 

 relation, and speak of a poor, despised, and ragged kinsman in 

 contemptuous terms, as my hefigarlij cousin, etc., and seem to 

 disdain a relation because he is in misery — how shameful is 

 this. How many do we see who build temples, eiLtertain in 

 their houses companies of frivolous people, who spare nothing 

 in play and self-indulgence, yet grudge the smallest sum 

 to meet the necessities of an indigent kinsman. The wheel 

 of fortune is in continual rotation,. Can you promise to be a 

 long time prosperous, or shall your now despised relations be 

 always in misery? May not they in their turns mount to 

 high offices and dignities? May not your children and 

 grandchildren, Avhen you are gone, stand in need of their 

 assistance ; then what services can they expect from those 

 about wdiom you have been so indifferent. [From this last 

 quoted maxim the fact seems manifest that in ancient times 

 conditions in China were not so A'eiy disshnilar from those 

 indicated by the Cheshire modern proverb to the efiect 

 tlmt "it is only three generations from clog to clog."J 



