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414
THE LI Ri.
BK. XXXIX.
They lead my thoughts to our duke Wa;
Of winning grace is he! As knife and file make smooth the bone, As jade by chisel wrought and stone,
Is stamp upon him set. Grave and of dignity serene; With force of will as plainly seen; Accomplished, elegant in mien;
Him we can ne'er forget.' (That expression), as knife and file make smooth the bone,' indicates the effect of learning. 'Like jade by chisel wrought and stone' indicates that of self-culture. “Grave and of dignity serene' indicates the feeling of cautious reverence. With force of will as plainly seen' indicates an awe-inspiring deportment. (The lines),
Accomplished, elegant in mien,
Him can we ne'er forget,' indicate how when virtue is complete, and excellence extreme, the people cannot forget them. 8. It is said in the Book of Poetry (IV, i, ode 4),
The former kings in mind still bear,
What glory can with theirs compare?' Superior men deem worthy whom they deemed worthy, and love whom they loved. The inferior people delight in what they delighted in, and are benefited by their beneficial arrangements. It is on this account that the former kings, after they have quitted the world, are not forgotten.
9. It is said in the Announcement to the Prince of Khang (Shů, V, ix, 3),
He was able to make his virtue illustrious.' It is said in the Thai Kia, 'He kept his eye
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