What is the Way? It is that whereon the prince travels.[2]
What
is the prince? He is one who collects;[3]
he is called a prince who
assembles all living things[4]
and ejects what is injurious to them.
What is the king? It means a going to.[5]
He to whom the empire
goes is called king. He is one who is good at giving life to and
caring for the people,[6]
and so the people esteem him; he is one
who is good at distinguishing and governing the people, and so
the people are content with him; he is one who is good at displaying
and employing people,[7]
and so the people love him. He
is good at embellishing people, and so the people rejoice in him.
If in these four essentials[8]
he is complete, the empire will go to
him. If of these four essentials he lacks one, the empire will leave
him. He to whom they go is called king, and he whom they leave
is called lost.
[8a]
Truly it is said that if the Way is preserved the
state will be preserved, and if the Way is lost the state will be
lost.
Now he limits [the numbers of] craftsmen and merchants, and
makes farmers many; he exercises vigilance toward bandits and
expels the lewd and the depraved; this is how he gives life to and
cares for them (= the people). The Son of Heaven has the san
kung,[9]
and [each] of the feudal lords has one minister. The Great
Officers attend to their duties; the officers look after their offices.
None but are controlled and in order. This is how he distinguishes
and governs them. From determining virtue he fixes precedence,
from measuring ability he bestows office. Sages are made san
kung; those next [to the sages][10]
are made feudal lords, and those
next to them are made Great Officers: [this is how he displays
and employs them. He refines caps and gowns. Decoration and
ornamentation, engraving and carving,—each has its status:][11]
this is how he embellishes them. Hence from Son of Heaven to
commoner there is none who does not fulfill[12]
his ability and
achieve his ambition, [or who is not] content with his task: in
this all are alike. Now by multiplying colors, patterns are perfected,
and by refining flavors, rare things are created. It is
through such [methods] that the saint distinguishes between the
sage and the fool[13]
and shows up the worthwhile and the cheap.
Truly when the Way is attained, grace flows to the people and
prosperity comes back to the nobles. When grace flows to the
people, inferiors are at peace and in harmony. When prosperity
comes back to the nobles, superiors are respected and honored.
Since the people all cherish feelings of peace and harmony, they
support their superiors with pleasure. This is what is called
"inferiors in order and superiors informed." When inferiors are
in order and superiors informed, because of this sounds of praise
arise. The Ode says,
[14]
Blessing is sent down in large measure;
Careful and exact is our deportment;
We have drunk, and we have eaten to the full;
Our happiness and dignity will be prolonged.[15]
