on common subjects, simple, plain. So, Choo He;but the passage in the Le-ke is not so general as his commentary. It gives the rule for looking at the emperor. A minister is not to raise his eyes above the emperor＇s collar, nor lower them below the gridle.Chaou K＇e tries to explain the expression without reference to the ancient rule for regulating the looking at men. Acc. to him, "words not below the girdle are all from near the heart".