Sima Aixiang
There are four seasons for sacrifice: spring sacrifice is called "礿", summer sacrifice is called "禘", autumn sacrifice is called "常", and winter sacrifice is called "朕". "礿" and "禘" are yang meanings; "常" and "朕" are yin meanings. "禘" is the prosperity of yang, and "常" is the prosperity of yin. Therefore, it is said that nothing is more important than "禘" and "常". In ancient times, during the sacrifice, the officials gave out titles and clothes, which was in accordance with the righteousness of the Yang. During the harvest, the officials gave out fields and towns, and issued autumn policies, which was in accordance with the righteousness of the Yin. Therefore, it is recorded: "On the day of harvest, the public office was given out to show the reward; the moxa was used as ink; before the autumn policies were issued, the people dared not to harvest." Therefore, it is said that the righteousness of the sacrifice and the harvest is great. It is the foundation of governing a country, and it is important not to be ignorant of it. The ruler is clear about the righteousness, and the minister is capable of his duties. If the ruler is not clear about the righteousness, he is not perfect; if he is not capable of his duties, he is not perfect as a minister. Righteousness is the way to help the will, and it is the manifestation of all virtues. Therefore, those whose virtues are strong have strong wills; those whose wills are strong have clear righteousness. Those whose righteousness is clear have respect in their sacrifices. If the sacrifices are respectful, then all the descendants of the family will dare not be disrespectful. Therefore, when a gentleman sacrifices, he must personally attend; if there is a reason, he can send others. Even if he sends others, the ruler does not lose his righteousness, because the ruler understands his righteousness. Those who are of low virtue and low ambition are doubtful about the righteousness and ask for sacrifices. If they are forced to be respectful, they cannot help it. If you offer sacrifices without respect, how can you be the parents of the people? The tripod has an inscription. The inscription is a self-name. The self-name is used to praise the goodness of the ancestors and to make it clear to future generations. Those who are ancestors have both good and bad things. The meaning of the inscription is to praise the good and not the bad. This is the heart of filial sons and grandsons. Only virtuous people can do this. The inscription is to discuss the virtues and goodness of the ancestors, their merits and achievements, and to celebrate and reward their reputations throughout the world and to use them as sacrificial vessels; to make a name for oneself and to worship the ancestors. To praise the ancestors is to honor filial piety. To compare oneself with them is obedience. To show future generations clearly is teaching. The inscription is to name them once and everyone above and below will benefit from it. Therefore, when a gentleman looks at the inscription, he should not only praise what is said, but also praise what is done. Those who do it, who are clear enough to see it, kind enough to give it, and knowledgeable enough to benefit it, can be called virtuous. Virtuous but not boastful, can be called respectful. Therefore, the inscription on the tripod of Kong Kui of Wei reads: On the 19th day of the sixth month, the Duke was in the Great Temple. The Duke said: "Uncle! This is the ancestor Zhuang Shu, who was on the left and right of Cheng Gong. Cheng Gong ordered Zhuang Shu to follow the refuge in Hanyang, and then to the palace in Zong Zhou, and ran without shooting. He told the right Xiang Gong. Xiang Gong ordered Cheng Shu to inherit the ancestors' clothes. This is the father of Wen Shu, who revived the old wishes of the elders, led the celebration of the people, and personally cared for the state of Wei. He was diligent in the public family, working day and night without rest, and the people all said: "Relax!" The Duke said: "Uncle! Let me engrave for you: If you inherit, you will be respected." Kui bowed his head and said: "I praised it to avoid it, and I was diligent in the great destiny of the Ding." This is the inscription on the tripod of Kong Kui of Wei. The ancient gentlemen discussed the virtues of their ancestors and made them clear to future generations. They compared themselves to themselves and valued their country like this. The descendants who guard the ancestral temples and the altars of the land and state, if their ancestors have no merits and praise them, it is a falsehood; if they have good things but do not know them, it is not clear; if they know them but do not pass them on, it is not benevolent. These three are what gentlemen are ashamed of. In the past, Duke Zhou had made great contributions to the world. After Duke Zhou died, King Cheng and King Kang remembered the merits of Duke Zhou and wanted to honor Lu, so they gave him a heavy sacrifice. The outer sacrifice is the suburban altar; the inner sacrifice is the great sacrifice. The great sacrifice, the song "Qingmiao" is sung in the upper part, and the "Xiang" is played in the lower part; the red stems and jade qi are used to dance "Dawu"; the eight-yi dance is used to dance "Daxia"; this is the music of the emperor. Duke Kang of Zhou, therefore, gave it to Lu. The descendants inherited it and it has not been abolished until now, so as to show the virtue of Duke Zhou and honor his country.
