44 



EEV. AETHUB ELWIN, ON CONFUCIANISM. 



through the clouds, and rises to heaven. To-day I have seen 

 Laou-tse and can only compare him to the dragon." They 

 could not agree. After this interview, Confucius is said to 

 have remarked, " At the sound of his voice my mouth gaped 

 wide, my tongue protruded, and my soul was plunged in 

 trouble." , 



According to Mencius, who lived about B.C. 371, China was 

 in a sad state in the time of Confucius, and it was high time 

 that some one should try and remedy the evils. " The world," 

 he says, " had fallen into decay, and right principles had 

 disappeared. Perverse discourses and oppressive deeds were 

 waxen rife. Ministers murdered their rulers, and sons their 

 fathers. Confucius was startled by what he saw, and under- 

 took the work of reformation." 



It was at Lo, during this visit, that Confucius saw, in the 

 Ancestral Temple, a metal statue of a man, with a triple clasp 

 on his mouth. On the back of the statue were inscribed these 

 words : " The ancients were guarded in their speech, and like 

 them we should avoid many words. Many words invite many 

 defeats. Avoid also engaging in many businesses, for many 

 businesses create many difficulties." " Observe this, my 

 children," said Confucius, pointing to the inscription, " these 

 words are true, and commend themselves to our reason." 



Upon returning to Loo, he resumed his former occupation. 

 His fame increased until, the records tell us, he was 

 surrounded by no less than three thousand disciples. But 

 troubles arose, a rebellion broke out, and Confucius was 

 obliged to take refuge in the neighbouring state of Tse. 



It was during this journey that he saw a woman weeping at 

 a tomb, and having compassion on her, he sent one of his 

 disciples to ask the cause of her grief. " You weep as if you 

 had experienced sorrow upon sorrow," said the disciple. " I 

 have," said the woman, " my father was killed here by a tiger, 

 and my husband also, and now my son has met the same fate." 

 " Why then do you not move from the place ? " asked ' 

 Confucius. " Because here is no oppressive government," 

 replied the woman. On hearing this answer, Confucius 

 remarked to his disciples, " My children, remember this, 

 oppressive government is fiercer than a tiger." 



After a time he was able to leave Tse, and return to his 

 native state of Loo, where he was made chief magistrate of the 

 town of Chung-too. Here he had an opportunity of putting 

 his principles into practice, and his government was so 

 successful, that he was gradually promoted, until he became 



