22
The Ode says,[1]
The happy and courteous sovereign
Is the parent of the people.
What is meant by saying that the sovereign is the parent of the
people? It means that the sovereign is reverent in aspect and
strict in conduct; he is frugal toward himself, but liberal to others.
Truly the unworthy cannot come up to him. In his own affairs
(?) he is rigorous with himself, but is easy-going (?) with others.
[2]
Truly he is able to serve to the extent of his abilities (?). Being
sincere in his love, he does not rob; he is generous in his gifts but
not boastful. On seeing a man who is good he rejoices in him
gladly, and on seeing a man who is not good he conceals [his
wickedness] in alarm. When there is a fault, he wraps it up completely.
In giving clothes, he gives the best; in giving food he
gives much. Laws he puts in an inferior place and makes them
easy to follow. He makes duties few and easy to perform. This
is how by acting impartially
[3]
he is a parent to the people. He
builds cities and has them live there. He divides up the fields and
nourishes [the people with their produce]. He sets up schools to
instruct them. He causes them to realize that parents are worthy
of respect. Because they are worthy of respect, one wears deepest
mourning
[4]
for three years [on the death of] a father. Likewise [on
the death of] a prince one wears deepest mourning for three years.
This is what is meant by his being parent to the people.
