16
When Heaven is established in its height, sun and moon achieve
their brilliance; when Earth is established in its mass, hills and
mounds achieve their positions;[1]
when superiors are established
in the True Way, all things are properly ordered. After the decline
of the [Royal] House[2]
of Chou, the Kingly Way disappeared and
did not [again] rise up. Li and i were broken off and not continued.
In Ch`in times li and i were held in disrepute, the Shih and the
Shu were discarded, and antiquity was neglected. The Way of the
saints was completely destroyed, and [people] devoted themselves
solely to vain and perverse practices. Avarice was the usual thing,
accusations and arrests[3]
were common, and the empire was in
great confusion. Whereupon troops were employed and fire flared
up.[4]
Living outside, exposed to the elements, the people considered
exactions, robbery and stealing from one another the ordinary
practice. Every day they were further separated in time from the
radiance of the Saintly Kings. They had never viewed the Way of
jên and i, nor received the influence of rites (li) and music. Since
they were unscrupulous and without ritual (li), dignified and
respectful conduct daily degenerated.[5]
Violently they threatened
one another with force and military power. Irresponsibly they
became sycophants and did not flee disaster and suffering. This
is why they were difficult to govern.
Man has six desires. His eyes desire to see good-looking colors,
his ears desire to hear [the notes] kung and shang,[6]
his nose desires
to smell fragrant odors; his mouth desires to taste fine flavors,
his four limbs desire repose and inactivity; of clothing he likes the
elegant and embroidered, the light and warm. These six are the
six desires of the people. Neglecting them results in trouble;
acting in accord with them, in harmony. Hence the Saintly King,
in instructing the people, always makes a point of following their
desires, employing ritual (
li) to restrain them; he accords always
with their wishes, using
i to control them.
I being simple and
complete, ritual (
li) being easy and regulated, and [neither]
departing far from [human] desires, the people as a result obey
orders quickly. Confucius, knowing how easy the Way is put into
action, said, "The Ode says,
[7]
The enlightenment of the people is very easy.
—these are not empty words.
