"Wan" also often stands for literature
and polite accomplishments. Here Confucius simply means, "If you kill
me, you kill a sage."]
BOOK X
Confucius in Private and Official Life
In his own village, Confucius presented a somewhat plain and simple
appearance, and looked unlike a man who possessed ability of speech.
But in the ancestral temple, and at Court, he spoke with the fluency and
accuracy of a debater, but ever guardedly.
At Court, conversing with the lower order of great officials, he spoke
somewhat firmly and directly; with those of the higher order his tone
was somewhat more affable.
When the prince was present he was constrainedly reverent in his
movements, and showed a proper degree of grave dignity in demeanor.
Whenever the prince summoned him to act as usher to the Court, his look
would change somewhat, and he would make as though he were turning round
to do obeisance.
He would salute those among whom he took up his position, using the
right hand or the left, and holding the skirts of his robe in proper
position before and behind. He would make his approaches with quick
step, and with elbows evenly bent outwards.
When the visitor withdrew, he would not fail to report the execution of
his commands, with the words, "The visitor no longer looks back."
When he entered the palace gate, it was with the body somewhat bent
forward, almost as though he could not be admitted.
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