Classic of Documents
商書 Shāng shū
盤庚中 第十九 Book Nineteen · Pán Gēng zhōng
盤庚作，惟涉河以民遷，乃話民之弗率，誕告用亶。其有眾咸造，勿褻在王庭。盤庚乃登進厥民。
Pwan-kăng arose, and crossed the river with the people, moving them to the new capital. By and by he addressed himself to those of them who were still dissatisfied, and made a full announcement to their multitudes, to induce a sincere acquiescence in the measure. They all attended, and being charged to take no liberties in the royal hall, he called them before him,
曰：「明聽朕言，無荒失朕命。
and said, “Listen clearly to my words, and do not disregard my commands.
「嗚呼！古我前后，罔不惟民之承保，后胥慼鮮，以不浮于天時。
“Oh! of old time my royal predecessors cherished every one and above every thing a respectful care of the people, who again upheld their sovereign with a mutual sympathy. Seldom was it that they were not superior to any calamitous time sent by Heaven.
「殷降大虐，先王不懷厥攸作，視民利用遷。汝曷弗念我古后之聞？承汝俾汝，惟喜康共；非汝有咎，比于罰。
When great calamities were coming down on our empire of Yin, the former kings did not fondly remain in their place. What they did was with a view to the people’s benefit, and therefore they moved their capital. Why do you not reflect that I, according to what I have heard of the ancient kings, in my care for you and actings toward you, am only wishing to rejoice with you in a common repose? It is not that any guilt attaches to you, so that this movement should be like a punishment.
「予若籲懷茲新邑，亦惟汝故，以丕從厥志。
When I call you to cherish this new city, it is simply on your account, and as an act of great accordance with your wishes.
「今予將試以汝遷，安定厥邦。汝不憂朕心之攸困，乃咸大不宣乃心，欽念以忱，動予一人。爾惟自鞠自苦。若乘舟，汝弗濟，臭厥載。爾忱不屬，惟胥以沈。不其或稽，自怒曷瘳？
My present undertaking to remove with you, is to give repose and stability to the State. You however, have no sympathy with the anxieties of my mind; but you all keep a great reserve in declaring your minds, when you might respectfully think by your sincerity to move me, the one man. You only exhaust and distress yourselves. The case is like that of sailing in a boat;—if you do not cross the stream at the proper time, you will destroy all its cargo. Your sincerity does not respond to mine, and we are in danger of going together to destruction. You notwithstanding will not examine the matter:—though you anger yourselves, what cure will that bring?
「汝不謀長，以思乃災，汝誕勸憂。今其有今罔後，汝何生在上？
“You do not consult for a distant day, nor think of the calamity that must befal you. You greatly encourage one another in what must prove to your sorrow. Now you have the present, but you may not have the future. What deliverance can you look for from above?
「今予命汝一，無起穢以自臭，恐人倚乃身、迂乃心。
Now I charge you to have but one mind. Do not let wicked thoughts arise to ruin yourselves. I am afraid that men bend your persons, and pervert your minds.”
「予迓續乃命于天，予豈汝威？用奉畜汝眾。
“My measures are forecast to prolong your lease of life from Heaven. Do I force you by my majesty? My object is to support and nourish you all.
「予念我先神后之勞爾先，予丕克羞爾，用懷爾然。
I think of the toils of my predecessors, who are now the spiritual sovereigns, for your ancestors; I would in the same way greatly nourish you, and cherish you.
「失于政，陳于茲，高后丕乃崇降罪疾，曰：『曷虐朕民！』
“Were I to err in my government, and remain long here, my High sovereign, the founder of our House, would send down great punishment for my crime, and say, ‘Why do you oppress my people?’
「汝萬民乃不生生，暨予一人猷同心，先后丕降與汝罪疾，曰：『曷不暨朕幼孫有比！』故有爽德，自上其罰汝，汝罔能迪。
If you, the myriads of the people, do not attend to the perpetuation of your lives, and cherish one mind with me, the one man, in my plans, my predecessors will send down on you great punishment for your crime, and say, ‘Why do you not agree with our young grandson, but so go on to forfeit your virtue?’ When they punish you from above, you will have no way of escape.
「古我先后，既勞乃祖乃父，汝共作我畜民。汝有戕則在乃心，我先后綏乃祖乃父；乃祖乃父乃斷棄汝，不救乃死。
Of old, my royal predecessors toiled for your ancestors and fathers. You are equally the people whom I nourish; but your conduct is injurious,—it is cherished in your hearts. Whereas my royal predecessors made happy your ancestors and fathers, your ancestors and fathers will cut you off and abandon you, and not save you from death.
「茲予有亂政同位，具乃貝玉。乃祖乃父丕乃告我高后曰：『作丕刑于朕孫。』迪高后丕乃崇降弗祥。
Here are those ministers of my government, who share with me the offices of the State;—and yet only think of hoarding up cowries and gems! Your ancestors and fathers urgently represent to my High sovereign, saying, ‘Execute great punishments on our descendants.’ So they intimate to my High sovereign that he should send down great calamities.
「嗚呼！今予告汝不易。永敬大恤，無胥絕遠。汝分猷念以相從，各設中于乃心。
“Ah! I have now announced to you my unchangeable purpose:—do you perpetually respect my great anxiety; let us not get alienated and removed from one another; share in my plans and thoughts, and be prepared to obey me; let every one of you set up the true rule of conduct in his heart.
「乃有不吉不迪，顛越不恭，暫遇姦宄。我乃劓殄滅之，無遺育，無俾易種于茲新邑。
If there be bad and unprincipled men, precipitously or carelessly disrespectful to my orders, and taking advantage of this brief season to play the part of villains or traitors, I will cut off their noses, or utterly exterminate them. I will leave none of their children. I will not let them perpetuate their seed in this new city.
「往哉生生！今予將試以汝遷，永建乃家。」
“Go! preserve and continue your lives. I will now transfer you to the new capital, and there for ever establish your families.”