In the first paragraph of Xunzi's article, Xunzi recorded the conversation between Confucius and his disciples about the "sitting device" and expressed his understanding of learning and cultivation. He wrote: Confucius' view of Lu Huangong Temple is that there is a sacrificial vessel (an inclined object, which is not easy to lay flat). Confucius asked the temple, "What kind of vessel is this?" The temple keeper said, "This lid is for sitting." Confucius said, "I heard that those who sit on the vessel are weak, those who are moderate are upright, and those who are full are covered." Confucius said to his disciples, "How to inject water?" Disciple waded into the water, which was moderate and correct, full and covered, empty and sad. Confucius sighed in shame: "Hey, who is full of evil?"

People of insight in the state of Lu installed a "sacrificial vessel" in their temple, warning future generations that "the lack is the sacrifice, the middle is the righteousness, and the fullness is the recovery". When Confucius felt this and lamented that "evil is full but does not fall", disciple Luz asked him if he could keep the "full" state. Confucius warned his students with questions: "Be wise and sage, and be ignorant;": Work is the world, keep it; Have the courage to help the world and keep it with fear; Rich all over the world, remain modest. This so-called way to lose is also. " (Xun Zi You Zuo) That is to say, only by being wise and not showing sharp edge, taking credit but not being proud, being brave and not showing cowardice, being rich and not boasting, being modest and prudent, and avoiding arrogance and rashness can we maintain it for a long time without declining.

Xunzi's exposition of Confucius' concept of "sitting device" is very profound, and it still shines with indelible light of truth and has a great influence on later generations. According to records, Du Yu in the Jin Dynasty and Zu Chongzhi in the Southern Dynasties both made similar objects to educate their children to study hard and prevent complacency.