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Ancient Classics -> Shang Shu -> Shang Shu -> Charge to Yue II -> 5

惟说命总百官，Yue having received his charge, and taken the presidency of all the officers,
乃进于王曰：he presented himself before the king, and said,
“呜呼！ 'Oh!
明王奉若天道， intelligent kings act in reverent accordance with the ways of Heaven.
建邦设都， The founding of states and the setting up of capitals,
树后王君公，the appointing of sovereign kings, of dukes and other nobles,
承以大夫师长， with their great officers and heads of departments,
不惟逸豫， were not designed to minister to the idleness and pleasures (of one),
惟以乱民。 but for the good government of the people.
惟天聪明， It is Heaven which is all-intelligent and observing
惟圣时宪，- let the sage (king) take it as his pattern.
惟臣钦若， Then his ministers will reverently accord with him,
惟民从乂。 and the people consequently will be well governed.
惟口起羞，'It is the mouth that gives occasion for shame;
惟甲胄起戎， they are the coat of mail and helmet that give occasion to war.
惟衣裳在笥， The upper robes and lower garments (for reward should not be lightly taken from) their chests;
惟干戈省厥躬。before spear and shield are used, one should examine himself.
王惟戒兹， If your Majesty will be cautious in regard to these things,
允兹克明，and, believing this about them, attain to the intelligent use of them,
乃罔不休。 (your government) will in everything be excellent.
惟治乱在庶官。 Good government and bad depend on the various officers.
官不及私昵， Offices should not be given to men because they are favourites,
惟其能； but only to men of ability.
爵罔及恶德， Dignities should not be conferred on men of evil practices,
惟其贤。 but only on men of worth.
虑善以动，'Anxious thought about what will be best should precede your movements,
动惟厥时。 which also should be taken at the time proper for them.
有其善，Indulging the consciousness of being good
丧厥善； is the way to lose that goodness;
矜其能，being vain of one's ability
丧厥功。 is the way to lose the merit it might produce.
惟事事，'For all affairs
乃其有备， let there be adequate preparation;
有备无患。 with preparation there will be no calamitous issue.
无启宠纳侮，Do not open the door for favourites, from whom you will receive contempt.
无耻过作非。Do not be ashamed of mistakes, and (go on to) make them crimes.
惟厥攸居， Let your mind rest in its proper objects,
政事惟醇。 and the affairs of your government will be pure.
黩予祭祀，时谓弗钦。 Officiousness in sacrificing is called irreverence;
礼烦则乱， and multiplying ceremonies leads to disorder.
事神则难。” To serve the spirits acceptably (in this way) is difficult.'

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