THE FILIAL DUTY OF HIGH OFFICERS
If we do not put on such dress as our good Emperors of old would
forbid, if we do not speak such words as they would forbid, and if
we do not behave ourselves in such a way as they would forbid, then
we shall be always right in what we say and what we do. If so, then
nobody will be able to find fault with our words or with our deeds,
and therefore we shall be able to keep our family from being visited
with any serious misfortune, and to offer sacrifices to our ancestors
for ever. This is the filial duty of a high officer.
In the _Shih Ching_ it is thus written: “Be diligent every minute to
attend upon the one person” (meaning the Emperor).