112 t h e a n n a l s o f k i n g t’a e j o
depend on whom the ruler chooses to employ and discard. How, then, can
you not be careful?
“The Classic of Documents says, ‘In your employment of men of worth,
have no second thoughts; in casting out wicked men, do not doubt your
decision.’^18 If Your Majesty believes a person is worthy, we wish you to
employ him, even if he has made mistakes. If the person is cunning, how-
ever, we wish you to reject him, even if he has rendered service.
“Fourth is to accept remonstrances from your subjects. According to a
classic,^19 ‘When a Son of Heaven has seven subjects who will dispute him,
even though he has no virtue he will not lose his empire. When a duke has
five subjects who will dispute him, even though he is not benevolent he will
not lose his state.’ This is the maxim for all ages.
“The reason that officials make remonstrances is not to promote their
own interests but the interests of the state. The authority of the king is like
thunder, and his power like hundreds of thousands of heavy weights. How
can it be easy for a subject to speak out without being afraid of such awe-
some authority and power? Fortune and misfortune depend on whether one
follows words of advice, and profit and loss depend on whether one carries
something out. Therefore, the king should always keep the way open for
words of remonstrance to reach him and be ready to accept them with a
benevolent countenance.
“Even if their remonstrances are accepted and their positions are raised
thanks to them, officials are always afraid and fail to express themselves as
much as they would like to. In these circumstances, if you display your
authority and overwhelm them with your power, honest words, efficacious
like good medicine, will be lost on the way, and the misfortunes caused by
the king’s blindness to the truth will strike suddenly.
“The Classic of Documents says, “Do not refuse to listen to remonstrance.”
It also says, “The monarch who takes advice becomes wise.” We hope that
Your Majesty keeps these sayings in mind.
“Fifth is to prevent slander. Emperor Shun said, “I abominate slanderous
speakers and destroyers of the right ways who agitate and alarm my
people.”^20 Slanderous words are powerful enough to make people blind.- “The Counsels of Great Yü,” Shu King: Book of History, translated by Clae Waltham,
p. 20. The translation is partially revised. - This is a reference to Bai Hu Tong (Symposium in the White Tiger Hall) by Ban Gu
(32–92), vol. 4, “Remonstrance.” - “The Cannon of Shun,” Shu King: Book of History, translated by Clae Waltham, p. 17.