An Inquiry into the Core of Xunzi's 'On Rites': The Origin of Rites, Textual-Structural Logic, and the Way of Elevation and Reduction

Section 3 The Essence of Accord (Huo) in "Perfectly Accord"

The character huo (accord/gain) in "Laughter and speech perfectly accord" (Xiao yu zong huo) is also worth deep consideration.

"Accord" (Huo)—To have a gain, to hit the target, meaning perfectly appropriate and in moderation. "Laughter and speech perfectly accord" does not mean that laughter and speech yield a tangible profit, but that they are always exactly right—laughing when one should laugh, speaking when one should speak, laughing just as loud as one should, speaking just as much as one should—everything is just right.

This reminds us of a famous saying by Master Kong:

"The Master said, 'There are three faults in serving a gentleman: to speak before one is spoken to is called rashness; to fail to speak when one should is called concealment; to speak without observing the gentleman’s expression is called blindness.'" (Analects, Ji Shi)

When speaking to a gentleman, there are three faults: speaking before it is your turn is rashness; failing to speak when it is your turn is concealment; speaking without observing the other’s expression is blindness. These three faults are all instances of "laughter and speech not according" (xiao yu bu huo)—speaking without propriety. Conversely, "laughter and speech perfectly accord" means: speaking when appropriate, remaining silent when not, and speaking only when the moment is right—every word hits the mark.