| | 太甲上: |
太甲既立，不明，伊尹放诸桐。三年复归于亳，思庸，伊尹作《》三篇。 |
| | 太甲上: |
惟嗣王不惠于阿衡，伊尹作书曰：“先王顾諟天之明命，以承上下神祇。社稷宗庙，罔不祗肃。天监厥德，用集大命，抚绥万方。惟尹躬克左右厥辟，宅师，肆嗣王丕承基绪。惟尹躬先见于西邑夏，自周有终。相亦惟终；其后嗣王罔克有终，相亦罔终，嗣王戒哉！祗尔厥辟，辟不辟，忝厥祖。” |
| Tai Jia I: |
The king, on succeeding to the throne, did not follow (the advice of) A-heng. (A-heng or) Yi Yin then made the following writing: 'The former king kept his eye continually on the bright requirements of Heaven, and so he maintained the worship of the spirits of heaven and earth, of those presiding over the land and the grain, and of those of the ancestral temple - all with a sincere reverence. Heaven took notice of his virtue, and caused its great appointment to light on him, that he should soothe and tranquillize the myriad regions. I, Yin, then gave my assistance to my sovereign in the settlement of the people; and thus it is that you, O heir-king, have received the great inheritance. I have seen it myself in Xia with its western capital, that when its rulers went through a prosperous course to the end, their ministers also did the same, and afterwards, when their successors could not attain to such a consummation, neither did their ministers. Take warning, O heir-king. Reverently use your sovereignty. If you do not play the sovereign, as the name requires, you will disgrace your grandfather.' |
| | 太甲上: |
王惟庸罔念闻。伊尹乃言曰：“先王昧爽丕显，坐以待旦。旁求俊彦，启迪后人，无越厥命以自覆。慎乃俭德，惟怀永图。若虞机张，往省括于度则释。钦厥止，率乃祖攸行，惟朕以怿，万世有辞。” |
| Tai Jia I: |
The king would not think (of these words), nor listen to them. On this Yi Yin said, 'The former king, before it was light, sought to have large and clear views, and then sat waiting for the dawn (to carry them into practice). He (also) sought on every side for men of ability and virtue, to instruct and guide his posterity. Do not frustrate his charge (to me), and bring on yourself your own overthrow. Be careful to strive after the virtue of self-restraint, and cherish far-reaching plans. Be like the forester, who, when he has adjusted the spring, goes to examine the end of the arrow, whether it be placed according to rule, and then lets I go; reverently determine your aim, and follow the ways of your grandfather. Thus I shall be delighted, and be able to show to all ages that I have discharged my trust.' |
| | 太甲上: |
王未克变。伊尹曰：“兹乃不义，习与性成。予弗狎于弗顺，营于桐宫，密迩先王其训，无俾世迷。王徂桐宫居忧，克终允德。” |
| Tai Jia I: |
The king was not yet able to change (his course). Yin said (to himself), 'This is (real) unrighteousness, and is becoming by practice (a second) nature. I cannot bear to be near (so) disobedient (a person). I will build (a place) in the palace at Tong, where he can be in silence near (the grave of) the former king. This will be a lesson which will keep him from going astray all his life.' The king went (accordingly) to the palace at Tong, and dwelt during the period of mourning. In the end he became sincerely virtuous. |
