The tenth book of the Analects describes how Confucius behaved at court. “Speaking with the lower grandees, he was frank and at ease. Speaking with the upper grandees, he was gentle but upright. When the ruler was present, he was full of reverent care.” (朝，與下大夫言，侃侃如也；與上大夫言，誾誾如也。君在，踧踖如也。)