Ch‘ên K‘ang asked Po Yu,[6] saying: Have you ever received any secret teaching from your father?--He replied: No. But once, when I was passing hurriedly through our hall, I met my father standing alone, and he said: Have you studied the Odes?--I replied, Not yet.--He said: If you do not study the Odes, you will have no conversation.--Thereupon I withdrew and studied the Odes. Another day I met him again standing alone as I hastened through the hall, and he said: Have you studied the Book of Rites?[7]--I replied: Not yet.--He said: If you do not study the Book of Rites, you will have no stability of character.--I withdrew and studied the Book of Rites. These are the two pieces of instruction I have received.--Ch‘ên K‘ang went away rejoicing and said: I asked about one thing and have learned three--something thing about the Odes, something about the Rites, and also that the higher type of man has no secrets even with his own son. Yang Huo wished to have an interview with Confucius, but Confucius would not go to see him. He therefore sent Confucius a sucking-pig as a present.[8] Confucius, however, chose a time when the other was out, to go and pay his respects. But he happened to fall in with him on the road. Thereupon Yang Huo addressed Confucius, saying: Come with me. I have something to say to you. Can he be called truly benevolent, who hugs his jewel to his bosom and allows his country to drift into confusion?--He cannot, was the reply.--Can he be called truly wise, who wishes to engage in public affairs, yet loses several opportunities of doing so?--He cannot.--Well, rejoined Yang Huo, the days and months are fleeting by, and the years will not wait for us.--True, replied Confucius; I will presently take office.[9] The eccentric Chieh Yü[10] of the Ch‘u State passed Confucius' carriage, singing: O phœnix! O phœnix! How has thy virtue fallen! The past need no longer be a subject of reproof, but against the future it is still possible to provide. Desist, desist! Great is the danger of those who now engage in government.--Confucius alighted, wishing to speak with him, but Chieh Yu hastened rapidly away, and he was unable to get speech of him.