| | Heaven is luminous; it does not worry about people's darkness. The earth has wealth; it does not worry about human poverty. A sage possesses virtue; he does not worry about the peril of people. Although Heaven does not worry about human darkness, by opening doors and windows it necessarily seeks its own brightness; thus, Heaven remains uninvolved. Although the earth does not worry about human poverty, by felling trees and cutting grass it necessarily seeks its own abundance; thus, the earth remains uninvolved. Although a sage does not worry about people's peril, when the common people align with what is above and compare themselves to those below, they necessarily seek their own safety; thus, the sage remains uninvolved. Therefore, a sage in a superior position can avoid harming people but cannot prevent people from harming themselves; thus, the common people eliminate their own harms. A sage's possession of the world is one of receiving it, not seizing it. The common people relate to a sage by nurturing him, not by expecting the sage to nurture them; thus, the sage has no affairs. Mao Shang and Xishi are the most beautiful women in the world. If they were dressed in rough animal hides, those who saw them would all run away; if they changed into fine silk robes, then passersby would all stop. From this we see that it is the beauty of the fine silk robes that helps; if a beautiful woman rejects them, then her beauty becomes unappealing. A person with a sprained ankle fleeing into the remote valleys and wilds for ten li, medicine is needed; if such a person rejects the medicine, then his feet will be crippled. Therefore, when a coiled snake glides through mist and a flying dragon rides the clouds, once the clouds disperse and the fog clears, they become no different from earthworms; thus, they lose what they ride upon. Therefore, when a virtuous person is subordinated to an unworthy one, it is because his authority is light. When an unworthy person submits to a virtuous one, it is because the latter holds a higher position. If Yao were merely a common man, he could not command even his neighbors. But when he faced south as king, then commands would be carried out and prohibitions respected. From this we see that virtue alone is insufficient to subdue the unworthy, but power and position are sufficient to subjugate even the virtuous. Therefore, one who makes decisions without being known by name holds great authority; a weak crossbow shooting a high-flying arrow does so by riding the wind; and a person who is unworthy yet whose commands are obeyed, does so because he receives support from the masses. Therefore, one who lifts heavy weights to greater heights does not neglect the use of tools; one who loves an infant does not neglect a nursemaid; and one who crosses perilous terrain and travels far distances does not neglect the driver. Success is achieved with assistance, but failure results from its absence. The virtue of the Three Kings and Five Hegemons harmonized with Heaven and Earth, communicated with spirits and deities, and extended to all living things—this was because they received widespread assistance. In ancient times, artisans did not take on multiple trades, and scholars did not hold multiple offices. Artisans who did not take on multiple tasks had fewer duties; having fewer duties made their responsibilities easier to manage; scholars who did not hold multiple offices had fewer responsibilities, and with fewer responsibilities it was easier to fulfill their duties. Therefore, the positions of scholars could be inherited through generations, and the tasks of artisans could remain constant. The children of craftsmen who could perform their fathers' trades without learning were not born with skill, but because the tasks remained consistent. Nowadays, states have no fixed principles and offices have no established laws; this is why the nation grows more corrupt each day. Even if education is successful, it remains insufficient without proper office positions. When offices are insufficient, principles and laws become scarce; when principles and laws become scarce, the state longs for virtuous and wise individuals, and thus the governance of the nation rests in the mind of one person. In ancient times, establishing a Son of Heaven and honoring him was not for the benefit of one individual alone. It is said: If no single person in the world were honored, then principles would have no way to be communicated; thus, communication of principles was established for the sake of all under heaven. Therefore, a Son of Heaven is established for the benefit of all under heaven, not that all under heaven are established for the Son of Heaven; a national ruler is appointed to serve the state, not that the state exists to serve the ruler; an official leader is appointed for the office, not that the office exists for the leader. Even if a law is not good, it is still better than having no law at all, because laws unify people's minds. When casting lots to divide property or using sticks to divide horses, it is not that the lots and sticks ensure fairness. Those who receive more do not know why they are virtuous; those who receive less do not know for what to resent, and this is how desires and complaints are suppressed. Therefore, yarrow stalks and tortoise shells were used to establish impartial judgment; scales and weights were used to establish fairness; writings and contracts were used to establish public trust; measures and standards were used to establish objective scrutiny; laws, systems, rites, and records were used to establish public justice. Establishing the public good is done in order to abandon private interests. A wise ruler, when taking action and distributing credit for achievements, must rely on wisdom; when determining rewards and dividing wealth, he must follow the law; and in practicing virtue and regulating conduct, he must adhere to rites. Therefore, desire must not interfere with the proper timing, affection must not violate laws, rank must not exceed kinship ties, salary must not surpass one's position, scholars must not hold multiple offices, and artisans must not take on multiple tasks. Assign responsibilities according to ability, and receive benefits according to the duties performed. If this is done, then those above will have no envy for rewards, and those below will have no jealousy over wealth.
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