KU k'AI-CHIH'S SCROLL IN THE BRITISH MUSEUM 100 



a home. The relation of prince and minister was created re- 

 sulting in imperial counsels being based on ordered principles. 

 The disposition of women was gentle : possessing virtues 

 which are not openly manifest they were chaste. Women 

 were circumspect in their own spheres. There was mutual 

 consideration in the home. They were respectful in the 

 ceremony of marriage and in domestic life were quiet and 

 sedate. Their deportment being of such a quality they were 

 respected for their virtuous accomplishments. Fan Chi 

 (Giles 531) was able to influence Prince Chuang by her 

 abstinence from animal food. The Lady of Wei (wife of 

 Huan Kung) opposed Huan Kung (Giles 841) and refused 

 to listen to the pleasant sounds of his music. (Huan Kung 

 was fond of singing the licentious Odes of Cheng as recorded 

 in the Shi King, Bk. VII). Thus noble purpose directed 

 towards righteousness succeeded in changing the hearts of 

 two masters. In the reign of Yuan Ti (Giles 1350) when a 

 bear escaped from its cage, the Empress Feng boldly faced 

 it. W T as not this woman fearless in the face of death ? Pan 

 Chieh-yu (Giles 1599) declined the Emperor's invitation to 

 ride at his side in his chariot. Did not this woman neglect 

 to take the slightest precaution for her own future. ? 



No way has ever been prosperous that has not come to 

 adversity : no living thing has flourished but later to decay. 

 In a day changes come and at the waxing of the moon 

 affairs sink into insignificance. A high hill is as a heap of 

 dirt ; changes come with the suddenness of a released trigger. 

 Men understand to a certain extent how to improve their 

 outward appearance but do not know how to improve their 

 own dispositions. Without improvement of disposition they 

 are liable to overstep the laws of propriety. By cleaving and 

 carving they can set themselves to becoming holy. If they 

 speak with discretion, people for a thousand li follow their 

 advice, but if the laws of righteousness are set aside, even 

 in conjugal relations there is suspicion. They use words as 

 if it were a trifling matter and yet their glory or their shame 

 is judged thereby. Do not talk of secrecy, for heaven peers 

 into things which have not yet taken shape. Do not talk 

 of black emptiness, for the gods hear even when there are 

 no sounds. Do not boast of your glory. God's truth hates 

 self-sufficiency. Do not presume upon your high position, 

 for the most prosperous come to naught. When the small 

 stars of the early morning are mirrored in the sky, follow 

 my warnings and you will be abundantly blessed with 

 children according to the desires of your heart. Your pros- 

 perity should never become rudeness nor your riches be en- 

 joyed selfishly. Selfishness begets neglect. If you love 



