[The tyrant] Chou invented the punishment of the fiery [pit]
and the pillar.[2]
The Prince Pi-kan said, "If, when his master is
outrageous, [the minister][3]
does not remonstrate, he is not loyal.
If from fear of death he does not speak, he is not brave. If he sees
a fault, he objects, and if [his objections] go unheeded, he dies:
this is the height of loyalty."
Whereupon he remonstrated for three days without leaving the
court. Chou accordingly[4]
put him to death. The Ode says,[5]
[The terrors of] Great Heaven are very excessive;
I shall take care[6]
to commit no offence.