Thus, anybody who follows this nature and gives way its states will be led into quarrels and conflicts, and go against the conventions and rules of society, and will end up a criminal.

Therefore, a person should first be changed by a teacher's instructions, and guided by principles of ritual. Only then can he observe the rules of courtesy and humility, obey the conventions and rules of society, and achieve order.

The drum is surely the lord of music, is it not?

When a man sees something desirable, he must reflect on the fact that with time it could come to involve what is detestable. When he sees something that is beneficial, he should reflect that sooner or later it, too, could come to involve harm.

If you wish to see the thousand years, look at today; if you wish to understand the millionfold, then look at the one or the two.

If what the heart approves conforms to proper patterns, then even if one's desires are many, what harm would they be to good order?

The rigid cause themselves to be broken; the pliable cause themselves to be bound.