Page 134 - 2022(1) International Confusion Studies

Being Mild and Gentle, Sincere and Broadminded 127

they are broadminded, easygoing, and kindhearted, that is the result of their study
of The Book of Music. If they are calm, quiet, insightful, and subtle, that is the result
of their study of The Book of Changes. If they are humble, thrift, dignified, sincere,
and respectful, that is the result of their study of The Book of Rites. If they are good
at rhetoric and narration, that is the result of their study of The Spring and Autumn
Annals. Whoever is obsessed with The Book of Songs may be foolish. Whoever
delves too deep into The Book of History tends to exaggerate. Whoever excessively
studies The Book of Music tends to be extravagant and wasteful. Whoever studies
The Book of Changes too much may become superstitious. Whoever has learned too
much from The Book of Rites may become tedious. Whoever has learned too much
from The Spring and Autumn Annals tends to make ungrounded comments. If we
are mild and gentle, sincere and broadminded but not stupid, then we have truly
learned The Book of Songs well. If we are knowledgeable about both current and
ancient matters but do not exaggerate, we have truly learned The Book of History
well. If we are broad-minded, easygoing, and kindhearted but not extravagant, we
have truly learned The Book of Music well. If we are calm, quiet, insightful, and
subtle but not superstitious, we have truly learned The Book of Changes well. If we
are dignified and respectful but not tedious, we have truly learned The Book of
Rites well. If we are good at rhetoric and narration and do not make comments
without good reason, then we have truly learned The Spring and Autumn Annals
well.” (Ruan, 2009, p. 3493)
The concept of “being mild and gentle, sincere and broadminded” is generally
believed to refer to both external appearance and internal temperament. Accord-
ing to Confucian aesthetics, a person’s cultivation includes both external
appearance and internal disposition, i.e., both form and content, and this personal
cultivation is, of course, reflected on aesthetic style. The famous classics scholar
Kong Yingda (孔颖达 574–648) of the Tang Dynasty (618–907) explained “being
mild and gentle, sincere and broadminded” in Commentaries on The Book of Rites
)
( 《礼记正义》as follows: “Mild means warm and kind in complexion. Gentle refers
to the softness of temperament. The Book of Songs criticizes indirectly and
euphemistically, instead of censuring specific issues. Therefore, being mild and
gentle, sincere and broadminded is what The Book of Songs teaches.” (Ruan, 2009,
p. 3493) He further explained “being mild and gentle, sincere and broadminded
but not foolish” as follows: “This classical passage uses the gist of The Book of
Songs to educate the people. Although it emphasizes the need to be ‘mild and
gentle,’ it holds that the people should also be taught to follow the rites. To make
the people gentle and honest, but not doltish, it is essential (for the ruler) to be well
versed in The Book of Songs and able to use it to educate the people. This is why it is
said, ‘It is important to be well versed in The Book of Songs.’” (Ruan, 2009, p. 3493)
According to Kong Yingda, mild describes people’s appearance and gentle refers to
their temperament. So the two concepts integrate the external and the internal.