Translation setting:
[None] [English]Pre-Qin and Han ->
Confucianism ->
Zhong Jing -> Administrative Order Established
| | 政理章: |
夫化之以德，理之上也，則人日遷善而不知。施之以政，理之中也，則人不得不為善。懲之以刑，理之下也，則人畏而不敢為非也。刑則在省而中。政則在簡而能。德則在博而久。德者、為理之本也。任政非德，則薄。任刑非德，則殘。故君子務於德，脩於政，謹於刑。固其忠，以明其信，行之匪懈，何不理之人乎？《詩》云：「敷政優優，百祿是遒。」 |
| | To transform people through virtue is the highest principle; then people will gradually become virtuous without even realizing it. Virtue and transformation operate subtly; guided by the heart, one does not know their source, yet the people follow goodness. To govern through political measures is the moderate principle; thus, people cannot but act virtuously. The application of governance has its methods, clearly evident to people. People are encouraged to act and wish to stop but cannot. To punish through criminal penalties is the lowest principle; thus, people fear and dare not commit wrongdoing. Punishment with authority makes people aware of fear and refrain from committing offenses. It is inferior to governance and even more obscure than virtue. Punishment lies in being sparing yet appropriate. Shun exiled the Four Fierce Men, which was sufficient to purify all nations. Governance lies in being simple yet effective. Simplicity makes it easy to follow, and effectiveness earns people's respect. Virtue lies in being broad and enduring. Without breadth, there will be omissions; without duration, people's hearts will revert. Virtue is the fundamental principle of governance. To rely on political measures without virtue makes governance shallow. To rely on punishment without virtue makes it cruel. Combining virtue makes governance substantial, and adding virtue makes it lenient. Therefore, a gentleman focuses on virtue, cultivates governance, and exercises caution in punishment. If punishment is not exercised with care, it will become known; if governance is not properly cultivated, and virtue is not pursued, people will not be won over. Strengthening loyalty to clarify trustworthiness, carrying it out without slackness—what person would not respond to such governance? Loyalty and trust begin with oneself; diligent service cultivates officials. When officials are cultivated, governance becomes clear, and people govern themselves. Therefore, there is no official who cannot govern, nor any person who cannot be governed. The Shi Jing says: "Administering governance with ease and grace, all blessings will converge." Governance is properly administered through the people; thus, blessings are appropriately bestowed!
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