Confucius said, "There are three things the enlightened ruler
fears: The first is that occupying a position of honor he fears
he will not hear of his faults; the second is that being successful
he fears he will be overconFIDent; the third is that hearing of the
Supreme Way [for governing] the empire he will be unable to
put it into practice."
Of old King Kou-chien of Yüeh fought with and greatly defeated
Wu, and conquered the southern I. At that time, as he sat facing
south with three ministers near at hand and five in distant places,
he issued the following command to the Great Officers: "Those
hearing of [my] faults who fail to tell me, will suffer capital
punishment." This is an example of one's occupying a position of
honor and fearing he will not hear of his faults.
Of old Duke Wên of Chin fought with and overwhelmingly
conquered Ch`u, burning their camp[2]
so that the fire lasted three
days. Duke Wên drew back with an expression of anxiety, and
his attendants asked, "Your Highness has overwhelmingly conquered
Ch`u, and [now] you have an expression of anxiety. Why
is this?" Duke Wên said, "I have heard that only a Saint can
rest secure after victory in battle, while those who conquer through
deceit are without exception in a perilous situation. This is why I
am anxious." This is an example of one who has been successful
and who fears being overconFIDent.
Of old Duke Huan of Ch`i got [as ministers] Kuan Chung and
Hsi P`êng[3]
and sat facing south. Duke Huan said, "Since getting
you two, my sight is the keener and my hearing the sharper. I
dare not act alone." And he introduced them to his ancestors.
This is an example of one hearing of the Supreme Way and being
afraid he will be unable to put it into practice. Viewed in the
light of Duke Huan, [Duke] Wên of Chin, and King Kou-chien of
Yüeh, these three fears are the concern of the enlightened prince.
The Ode says,[4]
We must be mild, and humble,
As if we were perched on trees.
We must be anxious and careful,
As if we were on the brink of a valley.
We must be apprehensive and cautious,
As if we were treading upon thin ice.[5]
This speaks of the great king
[6]
who occupies a position above other
men.
