| Ziran: |
The Yijing says that Huang Di, Yao, and Shun let their robes fall, and the empire was governed.That they let their robes fall means that their robes fell down, and that they folded their arms, doing nothing. Confucius said, "Grand indeed was Yao as a sovereign! Heaven alone is great, and Yao alone emulated it!" and, "How imposing was the way in which Shun and Yu swayed the empire, but did not much care for it." The Duke of Zhou makes the remark that the supreme ruler enjoyed his ease. By the supreme ruler Shun and Yu are meant.
Shun and Yu took over the peaceful government, which they continued, appointing wise men and men of talent. They respected themselves, and did no work themselves, and the empire was governed. Shun and Yu received the peaceful government from Yao. Yao imitated Heaven; he did not do meritorious deeds or strive for a name, and reforms, for which nothing was done, were completed of themselves. Hence it was said, "Excellent indeed," but the people did not find the right name for it. Those aged 50 years were beating clods of earth together on their land, but they did not understand Yao's virtue, because the reforms were spontaneous.
The Yijing says, "The great man equals Heaven and Earth in virtue." Huang Di, Yao, and Shun were such great men. Their virtue was on a level with that of Heaven and Earth, therefore they knew inaction. The principle of Heaven is inaction. Accordingly in spring it does not do the germinating, in summer the growing, in autumn the ripening, or in winter the hiding of the seeds. When the Yang fluid comes forth spontaneously, plants will germinate and grow of themselves, and, when the Yin fluid rises, they ripen and disappear of their own accord.
When we irrigate garden land with water drawn from wells or drained from ponds, plants germinate and grow also, but, when showers of rain come down, the stalks, leaves, and roots are all abundantly soaked. Natural moisture is much more copious than artificial irrigation from wells and ponds. Thus inactive action brings the greatest results. By not seeking it, merit is acquired, and by not affecting it, fame is obtained. Rain-showers, merit, and fame are something great, yet Heaven and Earth do not work for them. When the fluid harmonises, rain gathers spontaneously. |
