Page 164 - 《中庸》中·英对照版

?中
庸

they repaired and beautified the temple-halls of their
fathers, set forth their ancestral vessels, displayed
their various robes, and presented the offerings of
the several seasons. By means of the ceremonies of
the ancestral temple, they distinguished the royal
kindred according to their order of descent. By
ordering the parties present according to their rank,
they distinguished the more noble and the less.
By the arrangement of the services, they made a
distinction of talents and worth. In the ceremony of
general pledging, the inferiors presented the cup to
their superiors, and thus something was given the
lowest to do. At the concluding feast, places were
given according to the hair, and thus was made the
distinction of years. They occupied the places of
their forefathers, practiced their ceremonies, and
performed their music. They reverenced those whom
they honored, and loved those whom they regarded
with affection. Thus they served the dead as they

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