Analects: Book 20Book 20. Yao Yueh 堯曰第二十: Yao Spoke
[20:1] Yao said, "Oh! you, Shun, the Heaven-determined order of succession now rests in your person. Sincerely hold fast the due Mean. If there shall be distress and want within the four seas, the Heavenly revenue will come to a perpetual end."
Book 20. Yáo Yuē 堯曰: Yao Spoke
[20:1] Yao said, Ah, you, Shun — the destiny decreed by Heaven rests with you. Hold sincerely to the center. If those within the four seas suffer hardship and want, Heaven’s bounty will end forever.
Footnotes
[F1] The statements in this passage are couched in the archaic style typical of the Book of Documents, though no exact parallels are found in the present text of that work. The first purports to be the words of the sage ruler Yao when he ceded the throne to Shun and repeated by Shun when he ceded it to Yu, the founder of the Xia dynasty. This is followed by a speech by Tang, who overthrew the evil last ruler of the Xia and founded the Yin dynasty. The third section presumably represents the words of King Wu, who overthrew the evil last ruler of the Yin and founded the Zhou dynasty.
Book 20
[20:1] [F184] Yao said, Hail to thee, Shun! The count that Heaven is telling falls on thee. Keep true hold of the centre. If there be stress or want within the four seas, the gift of Heaven will pass for ever.
Footnotes
[F184] This chapter shows the principles on which China was governed in old times. Yao and Shun were the legendary founders of the Chinese Empire, Yü, T'ang, and Chou were the first emperors of the houses of Hsia, Shang and Chou, which had ruled China up till the time of Confucius.
Book 20. Yao Yue 堯曰: Yao Spoke
[20:1] Yao said, “Ah, Shun, the heavenly succession has fallen on you. Hold firm to the center. If the whole realm falls into dire straits, the heavenly stipend will disappear forever.” Shun similarly instructed Yu. [Tang] said, “I, the inconsequential Lü, dare to sacrifice the black bull, and dare to report to the illustrious Lord. When a crime is done, I will not dare to pardon it. I will cover up for your servants, but leave the decision up to your discretion. When I am guilty of a fault, I will not blame it on all the people, and they are at fault, I will take responsibility myself.” Zhou had great gifts, which he used to enrich good men. Although he was surrounded by close relatives, they were not treated on a par equal with the Good. If there are faults among the officials, [F59] I will take the blame myself. Be careful with weights and measures, scrutinize well the legal code, and restore offices that have fallen into disuse — then all the lands in the four directions will be well-governed. Raise up failed states, re-establish broken lineages, empower those had avoided service, and all the common people in the realm will put their trust in you. Place value on the common people, food, mourning for the dead, and ritual sacrifice. If you are generous you will gain the hearts of the people; if you are trustworthy, they will rely on you; if you are diligent, you will get results; if you are fair, they will be happy.
Footnotes[F59] Most translators take 百姓 as “the common people.” However, the earlier meaning of this term is 百官. During earlier periods, the common people did not have their own surnames, and so used that of their local lord or official. Since we are speaking of Yao and Shun, this is certainly one of the earliest recorded periods in Chinese history. 堯曰第二十
【第一章】【一節】堯曰、咨、爾舜、天之曆數在爾躬、允執其中、四海困窮、天祿永終。【二節】舜亦以命禹。【三節】曰、予小子履、敢用玄牡、敢昭吿于皇皇后帝、有罪不敢赦、帝臣不蔽、簡在帝心、朕躬有罪、無以萬方、萬方有罪、
Confucius (Kǒng Fūzǐ (孔夫子; Kong Qui) traveled the country in an ox cart observing and teaching his numerous disciples on the subjects of civics, ethics, literature, music and science. Of course, he claimed no divine inspiration and so naturally the writings attributed to him, recorded by his disciples, also make no such claim. |