CHAPTER 27

The Master said, "In a hamlet of ten families, there may be found one honorable and sincere as I am, but not so fond of learning."

26. A LAMENT OVER MEN'S PERSISTENGE IN ERROR. The 乎 has an exclamat. force. 讼, 'to litigate'. 内自讼者, 'one who brings himself before the bar of his conscience'. The remark affirms a fact, inexplicable on Conf. view of the nature of man. But perhaps such an exclamation should not be pressed too closely.

27. THE HUMBLE OLAIM OF CONFUCIUS FOR HIMSELF. 邑(人聚会之称也) is 'the designation of the place where men are collected together', and may be applied from a hamlet upwards to a city. 忠=忠厚, 'honourable', 'substantial'. Confucius thus did not claim higher natural and moral qualities than others, but sought to perfect himself by learning.