| | In the first year of King Weiwang's reign, in the second month, the king was at Feng. He secretly summoned and consulted with Zhou Gong Dan, saying: "Alas! "I have long pondered over Shang affairs day and night; my plans are secret and not yet revealed. Who will support me?" "The oracle declared that there would be an autumn harvest, but now I have failed to achieve its success—what should I do?" Zhou Gong said: "This depends on virtue. Reverence lies in Zhou, and it is the will of Heaven. The king must revere this mandate." "Keep distant relatives at a distance, do not interfere with harmony, and do not make mistakes again. Maintain bright virtue without negligence; once neglected, it cannot be restored. Only by being filial and diligent can one remain vigilant and respectful." "What is good and what is evil?" "At such a time, how dangerous it is not to be reverent!" The king bowed and said: "Indeed so! "I have heard that a state has four relatives, five harmonies, seven mistakes, nine causes, and ten excesses; it is not reverence but ignorance." "Now I speak with restraint. I do not abandon virtue to block myself, but only revere and heed this clear warning." Zhou Gong bowed and said: "This is in accordance with Heaven. Heaven has bestowed awakening upon Cheng, Cheng has transmitted its causes to Shang, Shang now gives birth to Ge, and to the right of Ge lies Zhou. May King Weiwang clearly employ words that open harmony; who would dare not respond?" The Four Relatives: first, those of the same surname within the court; second, those connected by marriage outside the family; third, officials who share the same teacher; fourth, those who have shared hardship and sorrow. The Five Harmonies: first, Heaven upholds the state; second, Earth upholds righteousness; third, shared aspirations bring joy; fourth, shared hatred brings sorrow; fifth, distant lands do not contend. The Seven Mistakes: first, establishing what should be abandoned; second, abandoning what should be revered; third, favoritism at the gate; fourth, flattery within; fifth, private interests outside; sixth, private interests in public affairs; seventh, public matters not being violated. The Nine Causes: first, deities who do not receive offerings; second, virtue that is not upheld; third, talent that is not appointed to office; fourth, affairs that are not distributed fairly; fifth, dual matters inevitably leading to contention; sixth, wealth being divided; seventh, greed leading to shortages; eighth, desires being fulfilled; ninth, enemies gaining the upper hand. The Ten Excesses: first, excessive governance destroys the state; actions taken at improper times cause people to lose security. Second, excessive desires destroy righteousness; words that do not harmonize lead people into discord. Third, excessive indulgence in pleasure undermines virtue; when virtue is impure, people fall from normal conduct. Fourth, excessive movement breaks decorum; when decorum is insufficient, people become unyielding. Fifth, internal excesses break ritual propriety; when rituals differ, the people do not harmonize. Sixth, excessive ornamentation disrupts dress codes; when attire exceeds standards, the people refuse to comply. Seventh, excessive literary embellishment undermines established norms; when norms are no longer exemplary, teachings cause the people to become unclassifiable. Eighth, excessive authority destroys tradition; when traditions lack legal basis, officials and commoners have no laws to follow. Ninth, excessive lending disrupts official duties; commands from all offices go unheeded. Tenth, excessive cunning undermines proper use of resources; when resources are insufficient, a hundred intentions remain unfulfilled. Alas! If the Ten Excesses are not corrected, how perilous it will be! "Now Shang is in this state; only through younger brothers can this continue. How dangerous if the mandate goes unheeded!" If a ruler issues decrees but then abandons them without pardon, this is abandoning Heaven's mandate. To end the achievements of one's ancestors and endure the people's suffering is an ill omen. "If a farmer tills the fields, diligently plows but does not weed, then weeds will occupy his land. If in autumn there is no harvest, then birds and beasts will feast upon it. When people suffer from hunger, who would feel compassion for them?" The king bowed and said: "I accept your words." Alas! "I have long been vigilant day and night—what fear is there beyond the path of righteousness?" "What evil is not thus?" "How dangerous it is to lack reverence!"
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