Yü said, 'So far good! But let your light shine, O Tî, all under heaven, even to every grassy corner of the sea-shore, and throughout the myriad regions the most worthy of the people will all (wish) to be your ministers. Then, O Tî, you may advance them to office. They will set forth, and you will receive, their reports; you will make proof of them according to their merits; you will confer chariots and robes according to their services. Who will then dare not to cultivate a humble virtue? who will dare not to respond to you with reverence? If you, O Tî, do not act thus, all (your ministers) together will daily proceed to a meritless character.'
'Be not haughty like Kû of Tan[1], who found his pleasure only in indolence and dissipation, and pursued a proud oppressive course. Day and night without ceasing he was thus. He would make boats go where there was no water. He introduced licentious associates into his family. The consequence was that he brought the prosperity of his house to an end. I took warning from his course. When I married in Thû-shan[2], (I remained with my wife only the days) hsin, zǎn, kwei, and kiâ. When (my son) Khî was wailing and weeping, I did not regard him, but kept planning with all my might my labour on the land. (Then) I assisted in completing the five Tenures[3], extending over 5000 lî[4]; (in appointing) in the provinces twelve Tutors, and in establishing
- ↑ This was the son of Yâo. He must have been made lord of some principality, called Tan.
- ↑ Yü married the daughter of the lord of Thû-shan, a principality in the present department of Făng-yung, An-hui.
- ↑ See in the Tribute of Yü, Part II.
- ↑ The lî is what is called the Chinese mile, generally reckoned to be 360 paces.
