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欲觀至樂，必於至治。其治厚者其樂治厚，其治薄者其樂治薄，亂世則慢以樂矣。今窒閉戶牖，動天地，一室也。故成湯之時，有穀生於庭，昏而生，比旦而大拱，其吏請卜其故。湯退卜者曰：「吾聞祥者福之先者也，見祥而為不善則福不至；妖者禍之先者也，見妖而為善則禍不至。」於是早朝晏退，問疾弔喪，務鎮撫百姓，三日而穀亡。故禍兮福之所倚，福兮禍之所伏，聖人所獨見，眾人焉知其極。 |
| | If one wishes to witness the ultimate joy, it must be within the context of supreme governance. Where governance is profound, the joy derived from it is also profound; where governance is shallow, the joy derived from it is likewise shallow. In times of chaos, one becomes careless and indulges in pleasure. Now, by closing doors and windows tightly, one can move heaven and earth within a single room. Therefore, during the time of King Chengtang, there was a grain plant that grew in the courtyard; it sprouted at dusk and by dawn had grown as thick as an arm. His officials requested divination to determine its meaning. King Tang dismissed the diviner, saying: "I have heard that omens are the forerunners of blessings. If one sees an omen and yet acts immorally, then blessings will not come; Omens of misfortune are the forerunners of calamity. If one sees such an omen and yet acts virtuously, then calamity will not come." Thus, he rose early for court and retired late, inquired about the sick and mourned with those in mourning, and diligently pacified and comforted the people. After three days, the grain plant perished. Therefore, calamity leans upon blessings, and blessings conceal calamity within them—this is a truth seen uniquely by the sage; common people how could they know its ultimate meaning.
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周文王立國八年，歲六月，文王寢疾五日而地動，東西南北，不出國郊，百吏皆請曰：「臣聞地之動，為人主也。今王寢疾五日而地動，四面不出周郊，群臣皆恐，曰『請移之』」。文王曰：「若何其移之也？」對曰：「興事動眾，以增國城，其可以移之乎。」文王曰：「不可。夫天之見妖也，以罰有罪也。我必有罪，故天以此罰我也。今故興事動眾以增國城，是重吾罪也。不可。」文王曰：「昌也請改行重善以移之，其可以免乎。」於是謹其禮秩皮革，以交諸侯；飭其辭令，幣帛，以禮豪士；頒其爵列等級田疇，以賞群臣。無幾何，疾乃止。文王即位八年而地動，已動之後四十三年，凡文王立國五十一年而終，此文王之所以止殃翦妖也。 |
| | King Wen of Zhou established his state for eight years. In the sixth month of that year, King Wen fell ill and lay in bed for five days when an earthquake occurred, shaking to the east, west, south, and north, but not extending beyond the borders of the capital. All the officials requested audience, saying: "We have heard that earthquakes occur for the sake of the ruler." Now, Your Majesty has been ill in bed for five days and an earthquake has occurred; it shook in all directions but did not extend beyond the outskirts of Zhou. All ministers are fearful and say, 'Please transfer this omen away.'" King Wen said: "How could it be transferred?" They replied: "By initiating projects and mobilizing the people to expand the city walls, perhaps this omen can be shifted." King Wen said: "No, it cannot be done. The heavens display ominous signs to punish those who have committed crimes. I must have committed a crime, hence the heavens are punishing me with this omen. To now initiate projects and mobilize the people to expand our city walls would only add to my guilt. "It cannot be done." King Wen said: "Chang, I request that you reform my conduct and emphasize virtue in order to shift this omen—perhaps thereby it may be averted." Thus he carefully observed the rites, maintained proper ranks, and provided quality hides and furs, in order to cultivate relations with the feudal lords; he refined his diplomatic words and commands, prepared gifts of silk and cloth, to honor and treat the distinguished men of virtue; he distributed ranks, titles, grades, and land according to merit in order to reward his ministers. Not long after, the illness ceased. King Wen had reigned for eight years when the earthquake occurred. After that event, forty-three more years passed; in total, King Wen ruled his state for fifty-one years before passing away—this was how King Wen eliminated misfortune and dispelled ominous signs.
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宋景公之時，熒惑在心，公懼，召子韋而問焉，曰：「熒惑在心，何也？」子韋曰：「熒惑者，天罰也；心者，宋之分野也；禍當於君。雖然，可移於宰相。」公曰：「宰相所與治國家也，而移死焉，不祥。」子韋曰：「可移於民。」公曰：「民死，寡人將誰為君乎？寧獨死。」子韋曰：「可移於歲。」公曰：「歲害則民饑，民饑必死。為人君而殺其民以自活也，其誰以我為君乎？是寡人之命固盡已，子無復言矣。」子韋還走，北面載拜曰：「臣敢賀君。天之處高而聽卑。君有至德之言三，天必三賞君。今夕熒惑其徙三舍，君延年二十一歲。」公曰：「子何以知之？」對曰：「有三善言，必有三賞。熒惑有三徙舍，舍行七星，星一徙當一年，三七二十一，臣故曰君延年二十一歲矣。臣請伏於陛下以伺候之。熒惑不徙，臣請死。」公曰：「可。」是夕熒惑果徙三舍。 |
| | During the reign of King Jing of Song, the planet Mars was positioned in the constellation Shen. The king felt alarmed and summoned Zi Wei to inquire, saying: "The planet Mars is located in Shen—what does this mean?" Zi Wei said: "Mars is a celestial punishment; Shen corresponds to the region of Song in the heavens; the calamity should fall upon you, Your Majesty." "Nevertheless," he continued, "it may be transferred to the prime minister." The king said: "The prime minister is one who shares in governing the state; to transfer death upon him would be an ill omen." Zi Wei said: "Then it may be transferred onto the people." The king said: "If the people die, who shall I rule as sovereign?" "I would rather die alone." Zi Wei said: "Then it may be transferred to the harvest year." The king said: "If the harvest is harmed, the people will suffer famine; and if the people suffer famine, they will die. To be a ruler yet cause one's own people to perish in order to save oneself—how could anyone regard me as their sovereign? "My days are clearly numbered; you need say no more." Zi Wei turned and ran, faced northward, and prostrated himself in reverence, saying: "I dare to congratulate Your Majesty. The heavens are lofty yet listen to the lowly. Your Majesty has spoken three words of supreme virtue; the heavens must bestow three rewards upon you. This night, Mars will move three constellations—Your Majesty's life shall be extended by twenty-one years." The king asked: "On what basis do you know this?" He replied: "There are three words of virtue, and there must be three rewards. Mars will move three constellations; each constellation consists of seven stars, and the movement of one star corresponds to one year. Three times seven is twenty-one—thus I say Your Majesty's life shall be extended for twenty-one years." I request to prostrate myself before Your Majesty and await the fulfillment of this omen. "If Mars does not move, I shall beg for death." The king said: "Agreed." That night, Mars indeed moved three constellations.
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