[22] Because, it is said, such colors were adopted in fasting and mourning.
[23] Because they did not belong to the five correct colors (viz. green, yellow, carnation, white, and black), and were affected more by females.
[24] Since white was, as it is still, the mourning color.
[25] The act of "grace," before eating.
BOOK XI
Comparative Worth of His Disciples
"The first to make progress in the Proprieties and in Music," said the Master, "are plain countrymen; after them, the men of higher standing. If I had to employ any of them, I should stand by the former."
"Of those," said he, "who were about me when I was in the Ch‘in and Ts‘ai States, not one now is left to approach my door."