In Ch`u there was a man skilled in physiognomizing people.
His predictions never failed,[2]
and he was famous throughout the
country. King Chuang summoned him to an audience and asked
him about it. He replied, "I am not able to physiognomize people;
it is a mater of being able to size up their friends. Take a
commoner whose friends are all filial and fraternal, sincerely respectful
and in awe of commands from their superiors—[with
friends] like this, his household will daily increase and he will
always be comfortable. This is what I call a [common] man
destined for good luck. Take one serving a prince, whose friends
are all sincere and trustworthy, who conduct themselves properly
and love the good—[with friends] like this, his activities daily
flourish and he daily advances in office. (?) This is what I call
an official destined for good luck. Take
[3]
a ruler among whose court
ministers are many sages, and among whose attendants are many
loyal men, so that whenever the ruler neglects or mismanages
anything, all strive to correct and admonish him. [With supporters]
like these, his state is daily more peaceful, the ruler is
daily more respected, and his fame daily becomes more apparent.
This is what I call a ruler destined for good luck. I am not able
to physiognomize people; it is a matter of looking at their friends."
The king approved. [King Chuang's][4]
employment of sages
and use of the able to establish his hegemony over the empire
was probably derived from this.[5]
The Ode says,[6]
That officer
Is the ornament of the country.
