| | The way to govern a country has myriad aspects, yet its implementation depends on one principle. What is this "one"? It is said: nothing but fairness. Only with a fair heart can one have a country; only with a fair heart can one possess a family; only with a fair heart does one possess oneself. The self, in turn, is the foundation of the state. Fairness, indeed, is the foundation of oneself. Private interest is what people desire, yet it is what governance most abhors. There is one who desires to serve the state, and ten thousand who do not; whenever a ruler governs with private interest in mind, the country will be divided into ten thousand factions. Therefore, establishing an emperor is for governing the realm. Appointing the Three Dukes is to assist the king. Observing past events and thus establishing systems, looking to the people's hearts and thereby enacting laws. Systems must not be biased in weight; if they are weighed too heavily, they become unjust. Laws must not rely on private interests; when they do, corruption arises. In ancient times, there was a person who stole gold from others during a busy market, and someone asked him the reason. He said: "I saw only the gold, not the people." Therefore, those who love something are bound to have great delusions. A man from the state of Song had a son who was very ugly, yet he claimed his appearance surpassed that of Zeng Shang's beauty. Thus, one whose heart leans on private interest knows little. Those who are confused by appearances cannot distinguish between fine and coarse with their eyes; those who are immersed in sounds cannot discern clarity from muddiness with their ears. Those who are biased toward love cannot differentiate right from wrong with their hearts. Therefore, the sage restrains desires and removes private interests, thus being able to coexist without blame with things and live in harmony without contention with others. An enlightened ruler knows this to be true. Though possessing the vastness of the empire and the wealth of all under heaven, he dares not favor his relatives. Thus, the people naturally turn away from private interests and toward fairness. When the principle of fairness prevails, then unjust gains have nowhere to hide. When the people are directed toward fairness, their path becomes one; when they are drawn to private interests, their paths multiply into ten thousand. When all turn toward fairness, clarity arises without effort and corruption naturally ceases. But if all pursue private interest, even numerous punishments cannot suppress corruption. Therefore, the principle of fairness is expressed in few words but has broad application.
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