5
The superior man seeks gentleness and moderation in jên; reverence
and yielding he seeks in li. If he succeeds, he feels that he
has done right, and if he fails, he feels that he has done right.[1]
Thus the superior man in regard to the True Way is like the
farmer tilling the fields. Though he get no great yield from the
year's harvest, he will not change.
Shan Fu, the King T`ai, had sons named T`ai-po, Chung-yung,
and Chi-li. [Chi-]li had a son named Ch`ang. T`ai-po was eldest.[2]
King T`ai regarded Ch`ang as worthy and wished Chi to be his
successor. T`ai-po left and went to Wu. When King T`ai was on
the point of death he said [to Chi], "When I die, you go and yield
your place to your two elder brothers. It may be they will not
come, but you will have done the right thing and so you will
have peace."
King T`ai died and Chi went to Wu and told his two elder
brothers. His elder brothers went back with Chi. All the ministers
wished [T`ai-] po to put Chi on the throne, but Chi in turn made
way for [T`ai-]po, who said to Chung[-yung], "Now all the ministers
wish me to put Chi on the throne, but Chi in turn makes way
for me. How shall we settle it?"
Chung[-yung] said, ". . . . . .[3]
Only the weak need support.
It will be all right to put Chi on the throne."
In the end Chi ascended the throne and brought up[4]
King Wên.
King Wên actually received the Mandate [of Heaven] and ruled
as king. Confucius said, "T`ai-o had singular insight; King Chi
had singular knowledge. [T`ai-]po recognized his father's will, and
Chi understood his father's mind. Hence it can be said of King
T`ai, T`ai-po, and King Chi that seeing the beginning they knew
what the end would be, and that they were able to carry out their
wills."
The Ode says,[5]
From the time of T`ai-po and King Chi [this was done].
Now this King Chi
In his heart was full of brotherly duty.
Full of duty to his elder brother,
He gave himself the more to promote the prosperity [of
the country],
And secured to him the glory [of his act].
He accepted his dignity, and did not lose it,
And [ere long his family] possessed the whole kingdom.
This is illustrated above.
T`ai-po returned to Wu and was made its ruler. [Wu endured]
for twenty-eight generations to [the time of] Fu-ch`ai, when it
perished.
