Classic of Documents
虞書 Yú shū
皋陶謨 第四 Book Four · Gāo Yáo mó
曰若稽古皋陶，曰：「允迪厥德，謨明弼諧。」禹曰：「俞，如何？」皋陶曰：「都！慎厥身，修思永。惇敘九族，庶明勵翼，邇可遠在茲。」禹拜昌言曰：「俞。」
On examining into antiquity, we find that Kaou-yaou said, “If a sovereign sincerely pursue the course of his virtue, the counsels offered to him will be intelligent, and the aids of admonition will be harmonious.” Yu said, “Yes; but explain yourself.” Kaou-yaou said, “Oh! let him be careful about his personal cultivation, with thoughts that are far-reaching, and then he will effect a generous kindness and nice observance of distinctions among the nine classes of his kindred; all the intelligent also will exert themselves in his service; and from what is near he may reach in this way to what is distant.” Yu did reverence to the admirable words, and said, “Yes.”
皋陶曰：「都！在知人，在安民。」禹曰：「吁！咸若時，惟帝其難之。知人則哲，能官人；安民則惠，黎民懷之。能哲而惠，何憂乎驩兜？何遷乎有苗？何畏乎巧言令色孔壬？」
Kaou-yaou said, “Oh! it lies in knowing men, and in giving repose to the people.” Yu said, “Alas! to attain to both these things was a difficulty even to the emperor Yaou. When a sovereign knows men, he is wise, and can put men into their proper offices. When he gives repose to the people, he is kind, and the black-haired people cherish him in their hearts. When a sovereign can be thus wise and kind, what occasion will he have for anxiety about a Hwan-tow? what to be removing a prince of Meaou? what to fear any one of fair words, insinuating appearance, and great artfulness?”
皋陶曰：「都！亦行有九德，亦言其人有德，乃言曰：載采采。」禹曰：「何？」皋陶曰：「寬而栗，柔而立，愿而恭，亂而敬，擾而毅，直而溫，簡而廉，剛而塞，彊而義。彰厥有常，吉哉。
Kaou-yaou said, “Oh! there are in all nine virtues to be discovered in conduct; and when we say that a man possesses any virtue, that is as much as to say—he does such and such things.” Yu said, “What are the nine virtues?” Kaou-yaou said, “Affability combined with dignity; mildness combined with firmness; bluntness combined with respectfulness; aptness for government combined with reverence; docility combined with boldness; straightforwardness combined with gentleness; easiness combined with discrimination; vigour combined with sincerity; and valour combined with righteousness. When these qualities are displayed, and that permanently, have we not the good officer?
「日宣三德，夙夜浚明有家。日嚴祗敬六德，亮采有邦。翕受敷施九德，咸事俊乂在官，百僚、師師、百工。惟時撫于五辰，庶績其凝。
When there is a daily display of three of these virtues, their possessor could early and late regulate and enlighten the Family, of which he was made chief. Where there is a daily severe and reverent cultivation of six virtues, their possessor could brilliantly conduct the affairs of the State, to which he was constituted ruler. When such men are all received and employed, the possessors of these nine virtues will all have their services. Then men of a thousand and men of a hundred will fill the offices of the State; the various ministers will emulate one another; all the officers will accomplish their duties at the proper times, observant of the five elements-regulated seasons:—and thus their various duties will be fully accomplished.”
「無教逸欲有邦，兢兢業業，一日二日萬幾。無曠庶官，天工人其代之。
“Let not the emperor set to the rulers of States an example of indolence or dissoluteness. Let him be wary and fearful, remembering that in one day or two days there may occur ten thousand springs of things. Let him not have the various officers cumberers of their places. The work is Heaven’s;—it is men’s to act for it.”
「天敘有典，敕我五典五惇哉。天秩有禮，自我五禮有庸哉。同寅協恭和衷哉。天命有德，五服五章哉；天討有罪，五刑五用哉。政事懋哉懋哉。
“From Heaven are the social arrangements with their several duties; to us it is given to enforce those five duties, and then we have the five courses of generous conduct! From Heaven are the social distinctions with their several ceremonies; from us proceed the observances of those five ceremonies, and then do they appear in regular practice! When sovereign and ministers show a common reverence and respect for these, do they not harmonize the moral nature of the people? Heaven graciously distinguishes the virtuous;—are there not the five habiliments, five decorations of them? Heaven punishes the guilty;—are there not the five punishments to be severally used for that purpose? The business of government!—ought we not to be earnest in it? ought we not to be earnest in it?
「天聰明，自我民聰明；天明畏，自我民明威。達于上下，敬哉有土！」
“Heaven hears and sees as our people hear and see; Heaven brightly approves and displays its terrors, as our people brightly approve and would awe:—such connection there is between the upper and lower worlds. How reverent ought the masters of the earth to be!”
皋陶曰：「朕言惠可底行？」禹曰：「俞，乃言底可績。」皋陶曰：「予未有知，思曰贊贊襄哉。」
Kaou-yaou said, “My words are reasonable, and may be put in practice.” Yu said, “Yes; your words may be put in practice, and crowned with success.” Kaou-yaou said, “As to that I do not know, but I wish daily to be helpful. May the government be perfected!”