Text of Confucianism Part 01

SR No.: 007675
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: James Legge
Publisher: Oxford
Publication Year: 1879
Total Pages: 2829
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 50 MB

Page 1961

BK. XXIX.
PIÃO XI.
343
the people, and not troublesome in the services to the spirits ; but they did all that could be done in the way of awards, conferring rank, punishments, and penalties.'
32. The Master said, Under the methods of (the dynasties of the line of) Yü 1 and Hsia, there were few dissatisfactions among the people. The methods of Yin and Kâu were not equal to the correction of their errors.'
33. The Master said, 'The plain and simple ways of the dynasties of the line of) Yü and Hsia, and the multiplied forms of Yin and Kâu were both extreme. The forms of Yü and Hsiâ did not neutralise their simplicity, nor was there sufficient simplicity under Yin and Kau to neutralise their
forms.
34. These were the words of the Master :Although in subsequent ages there arose (distinguished sovereigns), yet none of them succeeded in equalling the T1 of the line of) Yü. He ruled over all under heaven, but, while he lived, he had not a selfish thought, and when he died, he did not make his son great (with the inheritance). He treated the people as his sons, as if he had been their father and mother. He had a deep and compassionate sympathy for them (like their mother); he instructed them in loyalty and what was profitable (like their father). While he showed his affection for them, he also gave them honour; in his natural restfulness, he was reverent; in the terrors of his majesty, he yet was loving ; with all his riches, he was yet observant
1.The line of Yu' was Shun, who succeeded to Yão. He did not found a dynasty; but he is often spoken of as if he had done so.
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