Now frost and snow, rain and dew are the agents that kill and
give life to living things. Heaven has nothing to do with it, yet
we honor Heaven. It is the officials who uphold the law and are
responsible for civil functions who control the offices and the
people. The prince has nothing to do with it, but still we honor
the prince. The one who broke the ground and planted the [five]
cereals was Hou-chi; he who opened [a way for] the Chiang and
caused the River to flow was Yü; the one who heard trials and
kept a mean was Kao-yao. But the one with the reputation of
being a saint[2]
is Yao.
Thus if one is possessed of the True Way of ruling, though he
himself lack ability, he will certainly have those with ability to
work for him. If one lacks the True Way of ruling, though he
have a great deal of ability, still it will not help to preserve him.
The Ode says,[3]
The reins are in his grasp like ribbons,
While the two outside horses move like dancers.
The ability to control is honored.
