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【Duke Ai's Questions, Chapter 27】\n\nDuke Ai asked Confucius, "What is the nature of the great rites? Why do gentlemen speak of rites with such reverence?" Confucius replied, "I am but a humble man and not worthy to understand the rites." The Duke said, "No! You must speak of them." Confucius said, "I have heard that among the means by which the people live, the rites are paramount. Without rites, one cannot regulate the services to the spirits of heaven and earth; without rites, one cannot distinguish the positions of ruler and minister, superior and inferior, elder and younger; without rites, one cannot differentiate the bonds between man and woman, father and son, elder and younger brother, nor the degrees of closeness in marriage and social intercourse. It is for this reason that gentlemen hold them in such high esteem. Then, with their abilities, they teach the common people, never neglecting the proper observances and seasons. When achievements are accomplished, they then attend to the carved ornaments, patterned embroidery, and ceremonial regalia to continue the tradition. When the people comply, they then set forth the mourning regulations, prepare the sacrificial vessels and stands, arrange the offerings of pork and dried meat, maintain the ancestral temples, and at the proper times of the year offer reverent sacrifices, thereby ordering the clan. They settle peacefully in their dwellings, keep their clothing modest, make their houses lowly, do not ornament their carriages, do not engrave their vessels, and do not seek variety in their food, so as to share benefits with the people. Such was the practice of gentlemen of old in performing the rites." The Duke said, "Why do the gentlemen of today not practice them?" Confucius said, "The gentlemen of today delight in possessions without satiety, indulge in excess without weariness, are idle and negligent, arrogant and rude, exhaust the people completely, and turn their multitudes against the righteous way; they seek to satisfy their desires without regard for what is proper. Those who employed the people in former times followed the former path; those who employ the people today follow the latter path. The gentlemen of today do not practice the rites."\nConfucius was seated in attendance upon Duke Ai, and Duke Ai said, "May I ask what is greatest among the ways of man?" Confucius, with a solemn expression, replied, "That Your Lordship has spoken of this is a blessing to the common people! How dare I, your servant, answer without due consideration? Among the ways of man, governance is greatest." The Duke said, "May I ask what is meant by governance?" Confucius replied, "Governance means correctness. If the ruler is correct, then the common people will follow his governance. What the ruler does, the people follow. What the ruler does not do, how can the people follow?" The Duke said, "May I ask how one should practice governance?" Confucius replied, "Let husband and wife be distinguished, father and son be affectionate, and ruler and minister be strict. When these three are correct, all other matters will follow accordingly." The Duke said, "Though I am unworthy, I wish to hear the way to practice these three principles. May I hear it?" Confucius replied, "In governance of old, loving the people was paramount; in managing the love of people, the rites were paramount; in managing the rites, reverence was paramount; and at the height of reverence, the great marriage ceremony was paramount. The great marriage is the utmost! When the great marriage comes, the groom, in ceremonial cap, personally welcomes the bride—this is to show affection for her. Showing affection for her means treating her as kin. Therefore, the gentleman cultivates reverence to achieve intimacy; if reverence is abandoned, then kinship is lost. Without love, there is no intimacy; without reverence, there is no correctness. Love and reverence—are these not the very foundation of governance?"\n……