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請成相：世之殃，愚闇愚闇墮賢良！人主無賢，如瞽無相，何倀倀！請布基，慎聖人，愚而自專事不治。主忌苟勝，群臣莫諫，必逢災。論臣過，反其施，尊主安國尚賢義。拒諫飾非，愚而上同，國必禍。曷謂「罷」？國多私，比周還主黨與施。遠賢近讒，忠臣蔽塞主埶移。曷謂「賢」？明君臣，上能尊主下愛民。主誠聽之，天下為一海內賓。主之孽，讒人達，賢能遁逃國乃蹙。愚以重愚，闇以重闇，成為桀。世之災，妒賢能，飛廉知政任惡來。卑其志意，大其園圃高其臺。武王怒，師牧野，紂卒易鄉啟乃下。武王善之，封之於宋立其祖。世之衰，讒人歸，比干見刳箕子累。武王誅之，呂尚招麾殷民懷。世之禍，惡賢士，子胥見殺百里徙。穆公任之，強配五伯六卿施。世之愚，惡大儒，逆斥不通孔子拘。展禽三絀，春申道綴，基畢輸。請牧基，賢者思，堯在萬世如見之。讒人罔極，險陂傾側此之疑。基必施，辨賢罷，文武之道同伏戲，由之者治，不由者亂，何疑為？凡成相，辨法方，至治之極復後王。慎墨季惠，百家之說欺不詳。治復一，脩之吉，君子執之心如結，眾人貳之，讒夫棄之，形是詰。水至平，端不傾，心術如此象聖人。人而有埶，直而用抴必參天。世無王，窮賢良，暴人芻豢，仁人糟糠；禮樂息滅，聖人隱伏，墨術行。治之經，禮與刑，君子以脩百姓寧。明德慎罰，國家既治四海平。治之志，後埶富，君子誠之好以待。處之敦固，有深藏之，能遠思。思乃精，志之榮，好而壹之神以成。精神相反，一而不貳、為聖人。治之道，美不老，君子由之佼以好。下以教誨子弟，上以事祖考。成相竭，辭不蹙，君子道之順以達。宗其賢良，辨其殃孽。 |
| | Qing Chengxiang: The calamity of the world, foolish ignorance! Falling into folly and abandoning the virtuous and capable! A ruler without virtue is like a blind man without an attendant—how pitiful! Please lay the foundation, be cautious toward sage men; foolishness and self-will lead to disorder in affairs. A ruler who fears only superficial success, with no ministers daring to remonstrate, will surely encounter calamity. Discuss the faults of ministers, reverse their actions; respect the ruler and stabilize the state by upholding virtue and righteousness toward the worthy. Rejecting remonstrance and concealing faults, being foolish yet aligning with the unwise—this will surely bring disaster to the state. What is meant by "ba"? When a country abounds in private interests, factions form around the ruler and alliances are made for personal gain. Distant from the virtuous yet close to flatterers, loyal ministers are obstructed and the ruler's authority is undermined. What is meant by "xian"? A wise ruler and minister—one who above respects the sovereign and below loves the people. If a ruler sincerely heeds this, then all under heaven will be united and within the realm, all shall submit in harmony. The ruler's misfortune: flatterers rise to power, virtuous and capable men flee—the state then declines. Foolishness compounded by greater foolishness, ignorance deepened by more ignorance—this becomes Jie [a notorious tyrant]. The calamity of the world: envying the virtuous and capable, Feilian understands governance while entrusting power to Eulai [notorious villains]. Debase one's aspirations, enlarge one's gardens, and raise high the terraces. King Wu was enraged; he led his army to Muye. The troops of Zhou suddenly turned their backs, and Qi then descended [to surrender]. King Wu approved this action and enfeoffed him in Song, establishing his ancestors there. In times of decline, flatterers gather; Bi Gan was 剖 ed open and Ji Zi suffered repeated hardships. King Wu executed him; Yu Shang raised his banner and the people of Yin were won over with affection. The calamity of the world: hating virtuous men, Wu Zixu was put to death and Bailing Xi was exiled. Marquis Mu employed them; he matched his strength with the Five Hegemons and implemented policies through six high ministers. The folly of the world: hating great Confucian scholars, opposing and rejecting those who do not understand—Confucius was confined [as a prisoner]. Zhan Qin was dismissed three times; Chun Shen's path was obstructed, and the foundation was ultimately lost. Please nurture the foundation; virtuous men will reflect—Yao endures through ten thousand generations as if seen today. Flatterers have no limits, treacherous and unstable—they are the very embodiment of suspicion and deceit. The foundation must be implemented, distinguishing virtue from failure; the way of Wen and Wu is the same as that of Fu Xi. He who follows it brings order; he who does not follow it brings chaos—what doubt can there be? All teachings and admonitions, distinguishing laws and principles, reach the pinnacle of good governance by returning to later kings. Be cautious toward Mozi, Ji Hui, and others; the doctrines of a hundred schools deceive and are not well-founded. Governance returns to unity; cultivating it brings good fortune. The gentleman holds his heart as firm as a knot, while the common people waver and flatterers abandon it—this is clearly evident. Water reaches perfect stillness; its surface does not tilt. A mind governed in this manner mirrors the sage. A person with virtue, upright and employed—his influence will surely reach the heavens. In a world without a true ruler, virtuous men are left in destitution; the tyrant feasts on grain and fodder, while the benevolent suffer with scraps. Rites and music cease to exist; sages go into hiding, while Mohist doctrines prevail. The essentials of governance are rites and punishments; the gentleman cultivates virtue and thus brings peace to the people. Clarify virtue, exercise caution in punishment—when a state is well governed, all under heaven will be at peace. The aspiration of good governance: the later ruler becomes wealthy; the gentleman sincerely upholds virtue and awaits his time with patience. Reside in a solid and steadfast manner, keep profound thoughts hidden within—this enables one to think far ahead. Thought becomes refined; the aspiration flourishes. When one loves and focuses wholeheartedly, the spirit is perfected. The spirit and mind are unified in opposition to division—when one remains undivided, this is what makes a sage. The way of governance, beautiful and ageless; the gentleman follows it, thus becoming distinguished and admirable. Below, they teach and admonish their descendants; above, they serve their ancestors. The teachings are complete and thorough; the words do not falter—the way of the gentleman is smooth and reaches its goal. Honor the virtuous and capable, distinguish between calamity and wickedness.
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請成相，道聖王，堯舜尚賢身辭讓，許由善卷，重義輕利行顯明。堯讓賢，以為民，氾利兼愛德施均。辨治上下，貴賤有等明君臣。堯授能，舜遇時，尚賢推德天下治。雖有聖賢，適不遇世，孰知之？堯不德，舜不辭，妻以二女任以事。大人哉舜，南面而立萬物備。舜授禹，以天下，尚得推賢不失序。外不避仇，內不阿親，賢者予。禹勞心力，堯有德，干戈不用三苗服。舉舜甽畝，任之天下，身休息。得后稷，五穀殖；夔為樂正鳥獸服；契為司徒，民知孝弟尊有德。禹有功，抑下鴻，辟除民害逐共工。北決九河，通十二渚，疏三江。禹傅土，平天下，躬親為民行勞苦。得益、皋陶、橫革、直成、為輔。契玄王，生昭明，居於砥石遷於商，十有四世，乃有天乙是成湯。天乙湯，論舉當，身讓卞隨舉牟光。道古賢聖基必張。 |
| | Please present these teachings: the way of sage kings, Yao and Shun who esteemed virtue and personally practiced abdication; Xu You and Shan Juan, who valued righteousness above profit and whose conduct was clear and illustrious. Yao yielded to the virtuous for the sake of the people; he universally benefited all, loved equally, and distributed virtue impartially. Distinguish governance between superiors and subordinates; establish ranks of nobility and commoners—this clarifies the relationship between ruler and minister. Yao entrusted power to the capable, Shun encountered his time; by esteeming virtue and promoting moral excellence, peace was brought to all under heaven. Even if there are sages and virtuous men, if they happen not to meet their time, who would know them? Yao did not withhold virtue; Shun did not refuse—his daughters were given in marriage and he was entrusted with affairs. How great was Shun! Facing south as ruler, all things under heaven were complete and in order. Shun entrusted Yu with the world; by upholding virtue and recommending worthy men, he did not lose the proper order. Externally, avoid no enemies; internally, favor no relatives—grant office to the virtuous. Yu labored with his mind and strength; Yao was virtuous—the use of weapons ceased, and the Sanmiao submitted. Rise from the fields, appoint him to rule the world—thus allowing one's body to rest and recover. He gained Hou Ji, and the five grains flourished; Kui became the chief of music—birds and beasts submitted in harmony. 弃 was made Minister of Instruction, and the people learned filial piety and fraternal respect, honoring virtue. Yu achieved great merit, suppressing floods on a grand scale; he cleared away harms to the people and drove out Gonggong. He breached the Nine Rivers in the north, connected twelve islets, and dredged the Three Jiangs. Yu tilled the land, pacified all under heaven, and personally toiled for the people in hardship. He gained Yi, Gao Yao, Heng Ge, Zhi Cheng, as his assistants. Qi Xuanwang gave birth to Zhao Ming, who dwelled at Dishishi and later moved to Shang. After fourteen generations, there was Tianyi, who became King Tang. Tianyi Tang deliberated on appointments with care; he personally yielded to Bian and Sui, recommending Mou Guang for office. The way of ancient sages ensures the foundation is surely established.
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願陳辭，世亂惡善不此治。隱過疾賢，長由姦詐鮮無災。患難哉！阪為先，聖知不用愚者謀。前車已覆，後未知更，何覺時？不覺悟，不知苦，迷惑失指易上下。中不上達，蒙揜耳目塞門戶。門戶塞，大迷惑，悖亂昏莫不終極；是非反易，比周欺上惡正直。正直惡，心無度，邪枉辟回失道途。己無郵人，我獨自美，豈獨無故？不知戒，後必有，恨後遂過不肯悔。讒夫多進，反覆言語生詐態。人之態，不如備，爭寵嫉賢利惡忌；妒功毀賢，下歛黨與上蔽匿。上壅蔽，失輔埶，任用讒夫不能制。郭公長父之難，厲王流於彘。周幽厲，所以敗，不聽規諫忠是害。嗟我何人，獨不遇時當亂世！欲衷對，言不從，恐為子胥身離凶；進諫不聽，剄而獨鹿棄之江。觀往事，以自戒，治亂是非亦可識。託於成相以喻意。 |
| | I wish to present my words: in a world of chaos, evil prevails and virtue does not bring order. Concealing faults and hating the virtuous, growing through deceit and fraud—few calamities arise from this. How perilous it is! The steep path comes first; the wise do not employ the schemes of fools. The earlier cart has already overturned, yet those behind do not know to change—when will they awaken? Not realizing the truth, unaware of suffering, confused and losing direction—they invert what is above and below. The center does not reach upward; the ignorant block their ears and eyes, sealing off the doors and windows. With doors and windows sealed, great confusion reigns—contradictions and disorder grow dark without end; Right and wrong are reversed; factions deceive the ruler and despise integrity. Wrongdoing is hated, yet the heart has no measure—evil twists and deviates from the path of righteousness. Blaming others while considering oneself alone virtuous—could this be without cause? Not knowing to take warning, later there will surely be regret; when it comes too late, they blame their past mistakes but refuse to repent. Flatterers advance in numbers, repeating words and fabricating deceitful expressions. Human dispositions are not fully prepared; they vie for favor, envy the virtuous, seek profit, and harbor hatred and jealousy; Jealous of achievements and slandering the worthy, subordinates gather factions while concealing truths from above. The ruler is obstructed and deprived of wise advisors; employing flatterers, he cannot maintain control. The difficulties caused by Guo Gong Changfu led King Li to be exiled to Zhi. King You and King Li of Zhou—this is why they failed: they did not heed advice or remonstrance, harming loyalty instead. Alas, what man am I, alone to encounter no time of fortune in this age of chaos! I wish to offer my sincere counsel, but words are not heeded—fearing a fate like Wu Zixu, whose body met misfortune; Offering remonstrance yet unheeded, cast into the river like Qu Yuan, abandoned on a lonely deer's back. Observing past events as a warning to oneself, one can discern the patterns of order and chaos, right and wrong. Entrust these teachings and admonitions to convey the meaning.
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請成相，言治方，君論有五約以明。君謹守之，下皆平正，國乃昌。臣下職，莫游食，務本節用財無極。事業聽上，莫得相使，一民力。守其職，足衣食，厚薄有等明爵服。利往卬上，莫得擅與，孰私得？君法明，論有常，表儀既設民知方。進退有律，莫得貴賤、孰私王？君法儀，禁不為，莫不說教名不移。脩之者榮，離之者辱，孰它師？刑稱陳，守其銀，下不得用輕私門。罪禍有律，莫得輕重威不分。請牧祺，明有基，主好論議必善謀。五聽脩領，莫不理續主執持。聽之經，明其請，參伍明謹施賞刑。顯者必得，隱者復顯，民反誠。言有節，稽其實，信誕以分賞刑必。下不欺上，皆以情言，明若日。上通利，隱遠至，觀法不法見不視。耳目既顯，吏敬法令莫敢恣。君教出，行有律，吏謹將之無鈹滑。下不私請，各以宜，舍巧拙。臣謹脩，君制變，公察善思論不亂。以治天下，後世法之成律貫。 |
| | Please present these teachings, speaking of the way of governance; the ruler's principles are five in number, outlined clearly. If a ruler carefully upholds them, all below will be just and upright, and the state will flourish. Ministers must fulfill their duties; they should not idly consume resources. Focus on fundamentals, practice frugality—thus wealth remains inexhaustible. All endeavors are subject to the ruler's command; no one may act arbitrarily—unifying the strength of the people. Uphold their duties, and clothing and food will be sufficient; distinctions in rank and attire are clear, with degrees of generosity established. Benefits flow upward to the sovereign; none may bestow them arbitrarily—who could privately claim such rewards? The ruler's laws are clear, and judgments follow fixed principles. Once standards and examples are set, the people know the proper way to conduct themselves. Promotions and demotions follow established laws; no one is elevated or degraded arbitrarily—who dares act privately in the king's name? The ruler establishes standards and prohibitions, forbidding improper actions; no one fails to receive instruction—thus names and reputations remain unshaken. Those who cultivate it are honored; those who abandon it are disgraced—who else could be a teacher? Punishments are clearly proclaimed, and the law is safeguarded—subordinates may not lightly or privately alter justice. Crimes and calamities follow fixed laws; none may arbitrarily increase or decrease them—thus authority remains undiminished. Ministers must serve with diligence, establish clear foundations, and when the ruler values deliberation, he will surely devise wise strategies. The five methods of judgment are properly maintained; nothing remains unresolved—the sovereign firmly upholds governance. Judicial procedures are clear, and petitions are understood thoroughly—cross-verification ensures careful and just application of rewards and punishments. The upright will surely be recognized; the obscure shall again become visible—the people return to sincerity. Speech must be measured, and its truth verified—thus rewards and punishments are certainly assigned according to whether words are trustworthy or false. Subordinates do not deceive their superiors; all speak with sincerity—the clarity is as bright as the sun. The sovereign's decrees reach even distant regions, and hidden matters become known—those who observe laws are seen; those who break them cannot escape notice. With the ruler's eyes and ears clearly present, officials revere the law and dare not act recklessly. The ruler's teachings are issued; actions follow established laws—officials diligently carry them out without negligence or deceit. Subordinates do not make private requests; each acts according to what is appropriate, abandoning cunning and ineptitude. Ministers diligently cultivate virtue; when the ruler adjusts policies, public scrutiny ensures that deliberations remain orderly and wise. By governing the world in this way, future generations will follow these principles, establishing them as enduring laws.
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