Confucius said of the Ji Family:

"If he dared to use the Eight Rows Dance* reserved for the Son of Heaven in his courtyard, what would he not dare to do?"

(八佾/Bā Yì: A royal ritual dance with eight rows of eight dancers [64 total], exclusive to Zhou kings. Ji Sun, a Lu minister, usurped this privilege, provoking Confucius' outrage against ritual transgressions.)

On the Three Clans Mengsun, Shusun, and Jisun using the Yong hymn during ancestral rites:

"The Yong says: ‘Assisted by feudal lords, the Son of Heaven solemnly presides.’ How can such lines apply to the halls of mere ministers?"

Confucius said:

"Without humaneness (ren 仁), what use is ritual (li 禮)? Without humaneness, what purpose has music?"

When Lin Fang asked about the essence of ritual:

"Yours is a profound question. In ritual, frugality surpasses extravagance; in mourning, true grief outweighs ceremonial perfection."

Confucius remarked:

"Even barbarian lands with rulers lack the refinement of our Central States without rulers."

On Ji Sun sacrificing to Mount Tai:

Confucius asked Ran You: "Can you not stop him?" Ran You: "I cannot." Confucius sighed: "Alas! Would Mount Tai’s deity be less discerning than Lin Fang?"

On the gentleman’s rivalry:

"The noble person contends in nothing—save archery. They bow courteously before competing, drink together afterward. This is the rivalry of gentlemen."

Zi Xia inquired about a Book of Songs verse:

"‘Lovely smiles, bright eyes against pure silk—like colors upon white ground.’"

Confucius: "Painting begins with plain silk."

Zi Xia: "So ritual follows humaneness?"

Confucius: "Shang, you illuminate my thoughts! Now we may discuss the Odes."

On reconstructing ancient rites:

"I can describe Xia rituals, but Qi lacks evidence; I can describe Yin rituals, but Song lacks proof. Without records and scholars, how verify?"

On the Di Sacrifice:

"After the first libation, I see nothing worth watching."

When asked about the rite’s rules, Confucius deflected: "He who truly knows could govern the world as easily as holding this"—pointing to his palm.

On ritual sincerity:

"Sacrifice to ancestors as if they were present; worship gods as if they stood before you. To sacrifice without presence is no sacrifice."

Wangsun Jia asked about flattering deities:

"‘Better pray to the Kitchen God than the August God.’"

Confucius rebuked: "Wrong! Those who sin gravely find no salvation in prayers."

On Zhou’s cultural synthesis:

"Zhou’s rituals, inheriting Xia and Yin, shine with splendor. I follow Zhou."

At the Grand Temple:

Confucius asked about every ritual detail. A critic said: "Who calls this man learned in rites?" Confucius replied: "Such inquiry is ritual."

On archery’s ethics:

"Archery values not piercing the target—strength varies. This was the ancients’ wisdom."

When Zigong proposed abolishing the sacrificial lamb:

"You care for the lamb; I care for the ritual."

On serving rulers:

"I serve lords by Zhou rites—yet men call it flattery."

Duke Ding of Lu asked about ruler-minister relations:

"Let rulers employ ministers with ritual; let ministers serve rulers with loyalty."

On the Guan Ju ode:

"Its joy never descends to excess; its sorrow never drowns in despair."

Regarding the Earth Altar’s wood:

Zai Wo said: "Xia used pine, Yin cypress, Zhou chestnut—to ‘make people tremble.’" Confucius lamented: "Let done deeds rest unmentioned."

On Guan Zhong’s character:

"Guan Zhong was petty! He kept three lavish estates, redundant staff—how ‘frugal’? He erected screen walls and ceremonial stands like a ruler—if he knew ritual, who does not?"

Explaining music to Lu’s musicians:

"Music begins in harmony, flows through clarity, and concludes in continuity—like a winding stream."

A border official sought Confucius:

"All worthy visitors here meet me. Why fear losing office? Heaven appoints the Master as bell-striker to awaken this dark age."

Evaluating ancient music:

"Shao: perfect in beauty and virtue. Wu: perfect in beauty, lacking in virtue."

On corrupt rulers:

"When those in power lack magnanimity, perform rites irreverently, and mourn without grief—how can I bear to look?"