Classic of Documents
商書 Shāng shū
微子 第二十六 Book Twenty-six · Wēizǐ
微子若曰：「父師、少師，殷其弗或亂正四方。我祖底遂陳于上；我用沈酗于酒，用亂敗厥德于下。
The viscount of Wei spoke to the following effect:—“Grand Tutor and Junior Tutor, the House of Yin, we may conclude, can no longer exercise rule over the four quarters of the empire. The great deeds of our founder were displayed in former ages, but by our being lost and maddened with wine, we have destroyed the effects of his virtue in these after times.
「殷罔不小大，好草竊姦宄，卿士師師非度，凡有辜罪，乃罔恆獲。小民方興，相為敵讎。今殷其淪喪，若涉大水，其無津涯。殷遂喪，越至于今。」
The people of Yin, small and great, are given to highway robberies, villainies and treachery. The nobles and officers imitate one another in violating the laws; and for criminals there is no certainty that they will be apprehended. The lesser people consequently rise up, and make violent outrages on one another. The dynasty of Yin is now sinking in ruin;—its condition is like that of one crossing a large stream, who can find neither ford nor bank. That Yin should be hurrying to ruin at the present pace!” —
曰：「父師、少師，我其發出狂？吾家耄遜于荒？今爾無指告，予顛隮，若之何其？」
He added, “Grand Tutor and Junior Tutor, we are manifesting insanity. The venerable of our families have withdrawn to the wilds; and now you indicate nothing, but tell me of the impending ruin;—what is to be done?”
父師若曰：「王子。天毒降災荒殷邦，方興沈酗于酒。
The Grand Tutor made about the following reply:—“King’s son, Heaven in anger is sending down calamities, and wasting the country of Yin. Thence has come about that lost and maddened condition through wine.
「乃罔畏畏，咈其耇長、舊有位人。
He has no reverence for things which he ought to reverence, but does despite to the aged elders, the old official fathers.
「今殷民乃攘竊神祇之犧牷牲用，以容將食，無災。
Now the people of Yin will even steal away the pure and perfect victims devoted to the spirits of heaven and earth; and their conduct is connived at, and though they proceed to eat the victims, they suffer no punishment.
「降監殷民，用乂讎，斂召敵讎不怠。罪合于一，多瘠罔詔。
On the other hand, when I look down and survey the people of Yin, the methods of government to them are hateful exactions, which call forth outrages and hatred;—and this without ceasing. Such crime equally belongs to all in authority, and multitudes are starving with none to whom to appeal.
「商今其有災，我興受其敗。商其淪喪，我罔為臣僕。詔王子出，迪我舊云刻子；王子弗出，我乃顛隮。
Now is the time of Shang’s calamity;—I will arise and share in its ruin. When ruin overtakes Shang, I will not be the servant of another dynasty. But I tell you, O king’s son, to go away as being the course for you. Formerly I injured you by what I said, but if you do not go forth now, our sacrifices will entirely perish.
「自靖，人自獻于先王，我不顧行遯。」
Let us rest quietly in our several parts, and present ourselves to the former kings. I do not think of making my escape.”