说苑/孔子觀於周廟，而有欹器焉。

Speaking to the temple keeper, he asked, “What vessel is this?” “It is most likely a guardian vessel,” said the temple keeper.

“I have heard,” said Kongzi, “that, when you fill a guardian vessel, it tips over; that, when it is empty, it leans to one side; and that, when half full, it stands up straight.

Is that the case?” “Yes,” said the temple keeper.

Kongzi had Zilu17 get some water to test the vessel, and they saw that, when it was full, it tipped over; when filled halfway, it stood up straight; and, when empty, it leaned to one side.

“Alas,” sighed Kongzi.

“What doesn’t tip over when full?” “May I presume to ask if there is a way to preserve fullness without change?” asked Zilu.

“The ability to preserve fullness lies in suppressing and diminishing it,” replied Kongzi.

“Is there a method for suppressing it?” asked Zilu.

Kongzi said, “To be able to act humbly when in high position, to be able to seem empty when full, to be able to be frugal when wealthy, to be able to seem common when of noble rank, to be able to appear stupid when endowed with intelligence, to be able to seem cowardly when possessed of courage, to be able to seem to seem tongue-tied when endowed with eloquence, to be able to seem shallow when possessed of vast experience, to be able to seem dull when filled with enlightenment—this is what is called diminishing what is full and not pushing matters to extremes.

Only people of supreme virtue are able to put this way into practice.” As is said in the Changes, “One who does not diminish it but instead adds to it will therefore suffer diminishment, whereas one who diminishes it and does so steadfastly will therefore enjoy increase.”19 16 The Chinese name of this vessel, youzuo, is written in two different ways (右坐 and 宥坐); the first means “the vessel placed to the right of one’s seat” and the other “the vessel that protects one’s seat.” These vessels were supposed to remind drinkers at banquets not to overindulge and become drunk.