Analects · Chapter
XLIII explained
Tsze-chang asks Confucius about the meaning of a passage in the Shû, which states that Kâo-tsung remained silent for three years while observing imperial mourning.
What happens
Tsze-chang asks Confucius about the meaning of a passage in the Shû, which states that Kâo-tsung remained silent for three years while observing imperial mourning. Confucius explains that this was not unique to Kâo-tsung, but was a practice of all the ancients. When a sovereign died, the officers would carry out their duties under the prime minister's instructions for the entire three-year mourning period.
Themes in this chapter
Ritual and Propriety
The chapter highlights the importance of mourning rites and the proper conduct expected of a sovereign during the mourning period.
Virtuous Governance
The practice of the sovereign remaining silent and delegating to the prime minister illustrates a model of governance where the ruler prioritizes ritual duty over direct administration.
Characters to notice
- Tsze-chang
Asks Confucius to explain a passage from the Shû regarding Kâo-tsung's silence during mourning.
- Confucius
Explains that the three-year silence during mourning was a custom of all ancient sovereigns, not just Kâo-tsung.
Key passages
“What is meant when the Shû says that Kâo-tsung, while observing the usual imperial mourning, was for three years without speaking?”
Tsze-chang asks Confucius to clarify the meaning of a passage in the Shû that describes Kâo-tsung remaining silent for three years during the standard mourning period.
This question initiates the discussion about the ancient custom of mourning.
“Why must Kâo-tsung be referred to as an example of this? The ancients all did so. When the sovereign died, the officers all attended to their several duties, taking instructions from the prime minister for three years.”
Confucius responds that Kâo-tsung was not a unique case; all ancient rulers followed this practice. Upon a sovereign's death, officials would continue their work under the prime minister's direction for the full three years.
Confucius generalizes the specific example of Kâo-tsung to a universal ancient custom, emphasizing the importance of ritual propriety.