The Analects
Book 20 · Yao Said
Read in English. Switch to Original for word notes, or select text to ask a question.
Yao Said · 20.1
Yao said, “Ah, Shun! Heaven's appointed succession now rests upon you. Hold sincerely to the balanced way! If the people within the four seas fall into distress and want, Heaven's favor toward you will end forever.” Shun gave the same charge to Yu.
Tang said, “I, your young servant Lu, dare to offer a black bull and make this clear declaration to the radiant Sovereign on High: I dare not pardon those who are guilty. I do not conceal your servants; the choice rests in your heart. If I myself am guilty, do not hold the many lands responsible. If the many lands are guilty, let the guilt rest upon me alone.”
“Zhou received great gifts, and good people were enriched.”
“Though I have close relatives, they are not equal to humane people. If the people have faults, responsibility rests with me alone.”
He took care over weights and measures, examined laws and standards, and restored offices that had fallen into disuse. Government then functioned in every direction. He revived extinguished states, continued lines of succession that had been broken, and raised up worthy people who had withdrawn from office. The people throughout the world then turned their hearts toward him.
What he regarded as important was the people, food, mourning, and sacrifice. Generosity of spirit wins the multitude; trustworthiness makes the people rely on one; diligence produces results; fairness brings contentment.
Yao Said · 20.2
Zizhang asked Confucius, “What must someone be like to take part in government?”
The Master said, “Honor five excellent qualities and banish four evils; then you may take part in government.”
Zizhang said, “What are the five excellent qualities?”
The Master said, “The exemplary person benefits others without waste, puts people to work without resentment, desires without greed, is at ease without arrogance, and inspires awe without fierceness.”
Zizhang said, “What does it mean to benefit others without waste?”
The Master said, “To benefit the people by making use of what already benefits them—is that not benefiting without waste? Choose work that people can properly be asked to do and put them to it: who will resent it? Desire humaneness and attain humaneness: where is the greed in that? Whether people are many or few, great or small, the exemplary person dares not treat them carelessly. Is that not being at ease without arrogance? The exemplary person straightens his clothing and cap, gives dignity to his gaze, and is solemn enough that people look upon him with awe. Is that not inspiring awe without fierceness?”
Zizhang said, “What are the four evils?”
The Master said, “To execute people without first teaching them is called cruelty. To demand results without first giving warning is called violence. To be slow in issuing orders but urgent in setting deadlines is called harming the people. When something is to be given to others, to be grudging and calculating in handing it over is called the spirit of a petty clerk.”
Yao Said · 20.3
The Master said, “Without understanding the mandate, one has no means of becoming an exemplary person. Without understanding ritual propriety, one has no means of establishing oneself. Without understanding words, one has no means of understanding people.”
Use ← / → or swipe left or right to change chapters