University of Virginia Library

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The I [ching] says,[1] "[The subject is] straitened before a [frowning]
rock. He lays hold of thorns. He enters his palace, and does
not see his wife. There will be evil." This speaks of one who in
difficulty does not find a sage on whom to rely.

Of old Duke Mu of Ch`in was in difficulty in Hsiao,[2] but quickly
relying on the Great Officer Wu-ku, Chien Shu, and Kung-sun
Chih, he became a minor hegemon. [Duke][3] Wên of Chin was
[involved] in difficulty through Li[-chi],[4] but quickly relying on
Uncle Fan, Chao Shuai, and Chieh-tzŭ T`ui, he became in the end
ruler [of Chin]. Kou-chien, King of Yüeh, was in difficulty in
Kuei-chi,[5] but quickly relying on Fan Li and the Great Officer
[Wên] Chung, he gained the hegemony over the states of the
south. Duke Huan of Ch`i was in difficulty in Ch`ang-cho,[6] but
quickly relying on Kuan-chung, Ning Ch`i and Hsi P`êng, he
brought the empire into order. These all were men who knew
enough quickly to rely on sages when in difficulty. There have
never been any who, when in difficulty, did not know enough to
rely on sages that were not lost.[7]

The Ode says,[8]

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