| | The world takes benevolence and righteousness as its foundation, and scholarship as its pursuit. Yuanji Xiansheng was indeed a man of virtue endowed by Heaven. He responded to the mandate by establishing his doctrines, continuing for five hundred years. His virtuous conduct was evident in his hometown. The wise and the sage were in harmony with him. He thoroughly understood the Five Classics, and was also well-versed in ancient texts; he became a vast field of learning for ten thousand li, and a forested wetland for nine regions. Drawing from him was like drawing water from rivers and lakes, and looking up to him was like gazing at Mount Hua. Profound beyond comprehension, it seemed without origin; vast in its depth, drawing from it never exhausted its supply. He could truly be called an outstanding figure among the people. The state lost its chief instructor, and learning lost its model. All the scholars and officials mourned bitterly, shedding tears of blood; they would have given a hundred lives to replace his loss, for no one could hope to restore what was gone. Thus the people of his native place joined together to climb the mountain, cut stone, and carve an inscription that read: "How lofty was this master, whose virtue was most sincere. With sincerity he promoted the Way, his depth and height reaching into the divine. Wang Xi was thrice commissioned by imperial decree, as a guest of the state to observe its affairs. He regarded wealth and rank as fleeting as floating clouds. He neither lowered his aspirations nor disgraced himself."
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