With one shout the brave officer puts to flight all the three
armies: it is because of his sincerity.[2]
Of old Hsiung Ch`ü-tzŭ
of Ch`u was traveling at night. [He saw][3]
a stone lying [in his
path] which he took to be a reclining tiger. Bending his bow, he
shot it, so that the head [of the arrow] was buried up to the
feathers.[4]
When he looked down and realized it was a stone, [he
then again shot it, but the arrow bounced off without leaving a
mark. When Hsiung Ch`ü-tzŭ showed a sincere mind, metal and
stone] opened up for him;
[5]
how much the more will men!
Now if a person initiates a thing and others do not join in with
him, or if when he acts others do not agree, it is certainly[6]
because
he is not complete within. The man who rules the empire without
descending from his mat has sought in himself [for sincerity].
Confucius said,[7]
"When a prince's personal conduct is correct,
his government is effective without the issuing of orders. If his
personal conduct is not correct, he may issue orders, but they will
not be followed." That the Former Kings were able to attract to
themselves as guests everyone in the world by bowing and grasping
a signal flag[8]
was because of the acme of sincere virtue which
showed in their external aspect.[9]
The Ode says,[10]
The king's plans were true and sincere,
And the country of Hsü submitted.
