Book II 207
“We are well aware that Your Majesty liked reading classics and histories
in the days when you were not enthroned, and have devoted yourself more
to your studies after you ascended the throne. So you must be quite knowl-
edgeable in the studies that teach you the laws behind human affairs and the
ways of cultivating yourself and ruling the people. Since we are ignorant,
how dare we discuss anything with you?
“However, we have never heard that you attend the royal lectures, despite
the fact that you had them established. You may believe that every place in
your royal palaces, including great gardens, are good for your learning, and
if so, you may think that it is not really necessary for you to apply yourself
to certain rules and attend the royal lectures every day in order to cultivate
yourself.
“In our humble opinion, the study of the ruler should be more than reciting
and explaining the meaning of the text. The reason he attends the royal lec-
tures every day and asks questions is, first, to cultivate his virtue by meeting
with good officials; second, not to be neglectful of his duties by reducing the
time spent with eunuchs and royal concubines. Furthermore, he sets an
example as the ruler who founded the dynasty. If Your Majesty ignores the
royal lectures, your descendants will take your example as their excuse and
neglect their studies. Then how can it be a trivial matter?
“So we would like to urge Your Majesty to attend the royal lectures every
day and listen to the lectures on the Great Learning (Taehak). Studying the
principles of ‘extending knowledge to the utmost through the investigation
of things’ and ‘being sincere in thoughts and the rectification of hearts,’ you
can produce the effects of regulating your families and making your state
well ordered.” The king granted the request.
15th Day (Imjin)
The moon made a close approach to Mars.
Opening the Palace Treasury, the king served rice to the monks at
Kwanŭmgul.^70
16th Day (Kyesa)
There was thunder.
- A grotto and hermitage located above Pagyŏn Waterfall in Kaesŏng.