Be Respectful of Wise and Able Ministers
36. A benevolent person is esteemed as a national treasure; a wise person is esteemed as a national asset; a learned scholar is esteemed as a national nobility. Tus, the presence of benevolent people will prevent power struggles among ministers; the presence of wise people will solve problems relating to possible invasions by neighboring countries; and the presence of learned scholars will educate the public about showing the highest respect to the ruler.
Scroll 42: Xin Xu
37. A ruler who revered men of virtues would reign over the world; a ruler who attached great importance to men of virtues would be the leader of the lords; a ruler who honored men of virtues would preserve his country, while a ruler who neglected men of virtues would drive his country to destruction. This has been true since the ancient era.
Scroll 38: Sun Qing Zi
38. With virtuous people holding high positions in the government, no one would leave things to chance. An idiom said: “When the people leave things to chance, misfortune would befall the nation,” indicating a situation where no able and virtuous people are serving in the top administration.
Scroll 5: Chun Qiu Zuo Shi Zhuan, Vol. 2
39. Without the service of able and virtuous people, a country will soon decline. The book of Shi Jing said: “In the absence of the able and virtuous, the country will soon be overcome by misfortunes.” Hence, the book of Xia Shu said: “Being blamed for not following normal procedures is far better than to execute innocent people by mistake.” This indicates that ancient rulers were extremely concerned about losing people of virtues.
Scroll 5: Chun Qiu Zuo Shi Zhuan, Vol. 2
40. A ruler labors to find good people, but once they are found he can relax and enjoy a reign of prosperity. Emperor Shun assigned many wise and able men to the right tasks, and so all he did was to uphold his sovereignty and there was a reign of peace.
Scroll 42: Xin Xu
41. The wise rulers of the past would seek virtuous people to serve the country. Irrespective of whether his relations with them were close or distant, or whether their social status was low or noble, he would humble himself and regard them as distinguished people who would lead the country toward success.
Scroll 36: Shi Zi
42. “Today, Your Lordship has attained supreme status, and if you can treat worthy individuals as close friends rather than subordinates, you will eventually rule over the world.”
Scroll 31: Liu Tao
43. For seven years the Duke of Zhou acted as the regent. During that time, he brought gifts as a token of first visit to ten civilian scholars in the capacity of a student paying respect to his teachers; met twelve people as friends, and gave priority to meetings with forty-nine humble scholars in their meager dwellings. About a hundred people were ready to offer him advice anytime; more than a thousand students came under his tutorship; and tens of thousands of officials were personally selected by him to serve in the government. Worthy men from all over the kingdom would not have served under him if he was arrogant and mean.
Scroll 43: Shuo Yuan