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In the Analects of Confucius, the rites symbolize a deep respect for antiquity. Throughout the book, Confucius continually defends the rites—which are ancient cultural practices, such as spiritual sacrifice or musical performance, as well as regulations that determine who should perform them—from being destroyed in his contemporary times. For instance, at one point Confucius scolds Tzu-kung, who wants to end the practice of sacrificing sheep on the new moon, saying, “You may be loath to part with the price of the sheep, but I am loath to see the disappearance of the rite.” This is one of many examples throughout the Analects in which Confucius advocates for the continued practice of the rites even if they aren’t pragmatic in the present day. Rites are important, Confucius implies, because preserving and respecting antiquity is important, and rites are a vehicle for that. In conversations in which Confucius advocates for the rites, he often includes in his reasoning the fact that this was the way things were done in “antiquity.” Thus the rites, and their continuing, symbolize a respect for the cultural traditions of one’s ancestors.
The Rites Quotes in The Analects
The The Analects quotes below all refer to the symbol of The Rites. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
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Book 12
Quotes
“To return to the observance of rites through overcoming the self constitutes benevolence. If for a single day a man could return to the observance of the rites through overcoming himself, then the whole Empire would consider benevolence to be his. However, the practice of benevolence depends on oneself alone, and not on others.”
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The Rites Symbol Timeline in The Analects
The timeline below shows where the symbol The Rites appears in The Analects. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Book 1
...delight in the Way and to advise the wealthy to continue their observance of the rites.
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Book 2
...complete their parents’ wishes when they are alive, and, after their parents die, follow the rites in by giving them a proper burial and making sacrifices to live in accordance with...
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Book 3
...will perform a sacrificial offering on Mount T’ai. This is not in keeping with the rites.
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...After he leaves, someone comments that it would seem that Confucius knows nothing about the rites—why would he ask so many questions if he did? When he hears that this comment...
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...price of sheep. But Confucius himself is loath to part with the destruction of the rite.
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Book 8
The Master says that it is important that a man has the spirit of the rites. Without this spirit, he will grow exhausted when he tries to be respectful. He will...
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...While his everyday dress is shabby, when it is time for him to perform a rite, he wears all of the proper robes and caps. While his own home is lowly,...
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Book 9
...a time. The Master teaches him high culture but keeps him grounded through practicing the rites. Yen Yüan knows that he will never be able to live in full accordance with...
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Book 12
...about benevolence, the Master says that benevolence is the act of returning to observing the rites through overcoming the self. If a man can do this even for a single day,...
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Book 20
...not understand Destiny, a man cannot “take his stand” if he does not understand the rites and cannot judge others if he does not understand words.
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