# Book III: Pa Yih explained — Analects > Chapter companion for Analects by Confucius. ## What happens This chapter focuses on the importance of ritual propriety (li) and its connection to virtue. Confucius criticizes the usurpation of rites by the Chî family and the three families, emphasizing that ritual without humanity is meaningless. He discusses the proper attitude in ceremonies, the value of sincerity over extravagance, and the importance of reverence in mourning. The chapter also includes dialogues on music, the nature of the superior man, and the proper conduct between rulers and ministers. ## Themes in this chapter ### Ritual and Propriety Central theme; Confucius criticizes the violation of ritual by the Chî family and emphasizes the importance of propriety in ceremonies, mourning, and the conduct between rulers and ministers. ### Virtuous Governance Confucius links ritual propriety to governance, stating that a prince should employ ministers according to propriety and ministers should serve with faithfulness. He also criticizes Kwan Chung for lacking propriety in his conduct. ### Sincerity and Faithfulness Confucius emphasizes the importance of sincerity over extravagance in ceremonies and mourning, and the need for faithfulness in serving one's prince. ### The Superior Man Confucius describes the student of virtue as having no contentions, and even in archery, he remains a Chün-tsze (superior man) by bowing complaisantly to competitors. ## Character check-ins ### Confucius Central figure; criticizes the Chî family's use of eight rows of pantomimes and the three families' use of the Yung ode, emphasizing the need for humanity in ritual. ### Lin Fang Asks about the first thing to be attended to in ceremonies; Confucius responds that in festive ceremonies it is better to be sparing than extravagant, and in mourning, deep sorrow is better than minute observances. ### Yen Yû Asked by Confucius to save the chief of the Chî family from sacrificing to the T’âi mountain; he admits he cannot. ### Tsze-hsiâ Asks about the meaning of a passage from the Odes; Confucius praises him for bringing out his meaning and says he can now talk about the Odes with him. ### Wang-sun Chiâ Asks about the saying 'It is better to pay court to the furnace than to the southwest corner'; Confucius replies that he who offends against Heaven has none to whom he can pray. ### Tsze-kung Wishes to do away with the offering of a sheep at the inauguration of the first day of each month; Confucius says he loves the ceremony. ### Duke Ting Asks how a prince should employ his ministers and how ministers should serve their prince; Confucius replies with the rules of propriety and faithfulness. ### Tsâi Wo Answers Duke Âi about the altars of the spirits of the land, mentioning the trees planted by the Hsiâ, Yin, and Châu dynasties. ### Kwan Chung Criticized by Confucius for having small capacity and for not knowing the rules of propriety, as he had a screen at his gate and a stand for inverted cups like the princes. ## Key lines > If a man be without the virtues proper to humanity, what has he to do with the rites of propriety? If a man be without the virtues proper to humanity, what has he to do with music? If a person lacks humanity, the rites and music are meaningless to them. _Confucius emphasizes that ritual and music are only meaningful when grounded in humaneness._ > In festive ceremonies, it is better to be sparing than extravagant. In the ceremonies of mourning, it is better that there be deep sorrow than a minute attention to observances. In celebrations, frugality is preferable to extravagance; in mourning, genuine grief is more important than meticulous ritual. _Confucius advises Lin Fang on the priority of inner feeling over outward form._ > The student of virtue has no contentions. If it be said he cannot avoid them, shall this be in archery? But he bows complaisantly to his competitors; thus he ascends the hall, descends, and exacts the forfeit of drinking. In his contention, he is still the Chün-tsze. The virtuous person does not compete, but if competition is unavoidable, as in archery, they do so with courtesy and remain a gentleman. _Confucius illustrates the ideal of the superior man even in competitive situations._ > A prince should employ his minister according to the rules of propriety; ministers should serve their prince with faithfulness. A ruler should treat his ministers with respect, and ministers should serve their ruler loyally. _Confucius answers Duke Ting's question on the proper relationship between ruler and minister._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/analects_se/chapters/book-iii-pa-yih - Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/analects_se - All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/analects_se/chapters