说苑/孔子曰：「可也，簡。

To be rustic and unrefined is to be wanting in ritual and elegant adornment.

Once, when Kongzi met Zisang Bozi, the latter was going about without a proper cap and gown. A disciple asked, “What is your opinion of this man, master?” “His essential character is good,” said Kongzi, “but he is devoid of refinement—I would like to give him advice so that he could become refined.” When Kongzi left, one of Zisang Bozi’s retainers was displeased and asked, “What is your opinion of Kongzi?” “His essential character is good,” Zisang Bozi replied, “but he has too much external refinement—I would like to give him advice so that he could rid himself of this.” Thus, it is said that one who cultivates both his essential nature and his external refinement is a man of quality.

To be sound in one’s essential nature but deficient in external cultivation is to be rustic and unrefined.

Zisang Bozi was rustic and unrefined—he wanted to make the way of men the same as that of horses and oxen, so Zhong Gong85 thought his simplicity of manner excessive.

When, above, there is no enlightened Son of Heaven and, below, no worthy regional lords, then the realm will be devoid of the Way.

When an officer assassinates his ruler and a son, his father, then it is permissible to use force to punish the perpetrator as long as this can be effected.

In Kongzi’s time, no enlightened Son of Heaven reigned above, so he said, “Even Yong [Zhong Gong] could be made to face south.” The one who faces south is the Son of Heaven. The reason he said Yong could be made to face south is as follows: when Yong asked Kongzi for his opinion of Zisang Bozi, Kongzi said, “Simplicity—it too will do.” Zhong Gong said, “To be habitually respectful but act simply in leading the people—will not this do as well?” “What Yong says is right,” said Kongzi.

Zhong Gong understood well how to deal with evolving circumstances.

Kongzi understood the kingly way, but he was unable to add to what Zhong Gong said.