In the time of Shun the state of Miao did not submit. They
did not submit [because they had] the Hêng mountains on their
southern [border], the Min mountains[2]
on their northern [border],
the waves[3]
of Tung-t`ing [lake] to their left, and the waters of
P`êng-li[4]
[lake] to their right; through these they were protected.
Because they would not submit, Yü asked to attack them, but
Shun would not agree. He said, "I have not as yet exhausted my
teachings." For a long time he gave out his teachings,[5]
and the
ruler of the Miao[6]
[finally] asked to submit.
When the people of the empire heard of this, they all rated
Yü low in i and praised Shun's transforming virtue. The Ode
says,[7]
Blandly he looks and smiles,
Without any impatience he delivers his instruction.
This could be said of Shun. If you ask, "In that case, Yü's
transforming virtue did not come up to Shun's?" I would say,
"Not at all. Yü asked to attack them because of his desire to
show off Shun's transforming virtue. Truly, `credit the good to
your prince and take the blame on yourself'; this is the proper act
(
i) of a subject. Let us suppose Yü to have been the ruler and
Shun his subject: it would have simply been the same as in this
case. Yü may be said to be the great figure of one who succeeded
in being a subject."
