Book I 113Thus, even a sage king such as Shun had to worry about them, which means
they are extremely dangerous. Those who slander and flatter generally
ensnare others by any means available, until they impair the judgment of
the king. If they make requests with sweet and humble words, the king
might grant them; when their words melt into his ears earnestly, he might
lend them his ears. Then, his way of promoting or dismissing, or rewarding
and punishing, officials may lose the proper degree of balance and eventu-
ally bring about danger and ruin to the state.
“The Book of Odes says, ‘The sovereign should be careful about slander
because it can be the seed of troubles.’ If you watchfully observe cunning
people, none of their evils will be hidden from your eyes and slandering will
ultimately cease.
“Sixth is to watch out for indolence and greed. The Classic of Documents
says, ‘Let not the Son of Heaven set the example of indolence or dissoluteness
to the rulers of states.’^21 How can there be only one or two things that hur t your
virtue? Such pleasures as leading a life of ease and comfort, furnishing the
royal palace luxuriously, eating the choicest foods, enjoying the attendance
of the queen and royal concubines and ladies, and such pastimes as hunting,
and raising dogs and horses or flowers can injure human nature and cause a
man to become dissolute. Therefore, one cannot help being careful. Further-
more, the Mandate of Heaven is so inconstant that it helps only the virtuous.
Thus, one cannot afford neglecting things, no matter how trivial they may be,
or feel relaxed even a moment, unless one is ready to allow himself to slide
into a life of indolence and greed, which is dreadful because Heaven is
looking down. Hence, one cannot help being afraid and careful.
“Seventh is to respect frugality and simplicity. Making his royal palace
more modest and wearing plain-looking clothes was King Yü’s great virtue.
Saving a small sum of money and dressing in crude silk were exemplary
acts by Emperor Wen of Han. Despite occupying the highest seat on the
earth as the Son of Heaven and possessing the wealth of the whole world,
they led frugal and simple lives. Our land, on the other hand, being situated
between mountains and seas, has a relatively small population and accord-
ingly limited revenues. How, then, can the ruler of this land be reckless in
his spending without considering the income and expenditures?
“When natural disasters took place during the former dynasty, however
small they were, the rulers only exerted themselves in praying and serving
- “The Counsels of Kao Yao,” Shu King: Book of History, translated by Clae
Waltham, p. 28.