Be Respectful of the Dao
89. The book of Tuan Zhuan said: “In studying astronomy, we are able to understand the law of changes of the seasons. In studying human civilizations, we are able to understand the process of transformation in the human society and thus implement education and efficient administration to rule the country.”
Scroll 1: Zhou Yi
90. Heaven and earth move according to the law of nature; hence, the orbits of the sun and the moon will not cross paths and there is no irregularity in the cycle of the four seasons. The sages conformed their actions to the innate nature of humans; therefore the punishments that they imposed were simple and just, and the people faithfully obeyed them. “Complying with the law of heaven”, as implied in the oracle of Yu 豫, has such a profound and far-reaching meaning!
Scroll 1: Zhou Yi
91. In the oracle of Kun 坤, all the six lines are yin lines, symbolizing utmost gentleness, but when put in motion, it exudes strength and dynamism. It is always in a state of utmost stillness but owns virtues that are upright, able to nourish all things and extensively assert its moral influence. The way of Kun is so gentle and docile; it obeys the way of heaven and revolves perpetually in step with the seasons.
Scroll 1: Zhou Yi
92. A sage is one whose virtue encompasses everything, like heaven and earth do, and whose wisdom is as illuminating as the sun and the moon. He handles matters in an orderly way, like the regularity in the cycle of the four seasons; he can foretell good and bad fortunes, calamities and blessings as remarkably as the rnatural beings. He may precede heaven, and heaven will not act in opposition to him; he may follow heaven, but will act only as heaven at the time would do.
Scroll 1: Zhou Yi
93. Confucius said: “Heaven helps those who follow the righteous path, and people help those who are trustworthy. The trustworthy who abides by the law of nature will be blessed by heaven; thus all things will turn out to be auspicious and favorable for him.”
Scroll 1: Zhou Yi
94. If one abides by the principles of righteousness, what seems difficult to others will be easy for him. Thus, Zengzi said: “When parents love us, we should be happy and never forget their kindness; but when they dislike us, we should have no resentment and try not to make them unhappy.” Therefore, whether our parents love or dislike us, this should never affect our filial piety toward them. Shi Qiu13 said: “If a ruler is close to us, we should respect him and listen to his orders obediently. If a ruler distances himself from us, we should also respect him without resentment.” Therefore, whether a ruler is close to us or distances himself from us, it should never affect our loyalty toward him. Confucius said: “We should feel happy to be able to rectify our faults and exercise strict self-discipline over ourselves but ever insist the same on others. A man of virtues such as Qu Boyu14 will not feel upset when being neglected.” Therefore, whether we are appointed in office or being neglected will not affect our morality and acts of virtues. Quhou Fu15 said: “It is not difficult to differentiate a person of virtues from the rest: Observe the way he distributes his wealth when he is rich; see which type of people he nominates when he is holding a high position, and notice how he resists temptations when he is impoverished.” In short, true virtues will not be affected in times of hardship or prosperity. Being loved, disliked, in good terms or being distanced, failure or success, rich or poor, all these will help strengthen our success in treading the righteous path.
Scroll 36: Shi Zi
95. If a man of noble character (Junzi) agrees to devise strategies for others, his plans will always be drawn on the basis of righteousness. Hence the strategies devised by him would hold elements of righteousness, but they might not necessarily be accepted by some people. His strategies would display great loyalty, but they might not necessarily be used. His strategies would also be trustworthy, but they might not necessarily be trusted by others. When a Junzi corrects the faults of others, he will demonstrate it in his actions. Hence, doing things in a correct manner is an effective way to remind others of their mistakes. To rectify the unbecoming conducts of others, we should carry out acts of virtues frequently so as to evoke the kindness in them. In this way, the principles of righteousness can be clearly understood.
Scroll 31: Yu Zi
96. The book of Xiang Zhuan interpreted the oracle of Sheng 升—“Ascend” as follows: “Plants (wood) grow from the earth, indicating that this is a form of progressive development. A man of noble character (Junzi) is thus vigilant in his conduct and cultivates the act of doing kindness until he has accumulated his virtues to become a man of high morality.”
Scroll 1: Zhou Yi
97. A ruler is hailed as an emperor because he is a man of high virtues. He is hailed as a king because his righteousness is revered. He is hailed as a dominator because he understands very well how things work. Only when virtues have been compromised should one rely on strategy. Only when kindness is on the wane should one rely on punishment. Only when wisdom is inadequate should one rely on stringent policing.
Scroll 35: Wen Zi
98. Heaven has its seasons and the earth is rich in its resources. Sharing these assets of nature with everyone is benevolence. Where there is benevolence, people will pledge their allegiance readily. Sparing people from death, eliminating their hardships, rescuing them from disasters and helping those in need are acts of virtue. Where there is loving-kindness, the people will pledge their full support. Sharing hardships, pleasures, likes, and dislikes with the people are acts of righteousness. Where there is righteousness, people will pledge their allegiance. In fact, humans fear death and enjoy pleasure in life. They like to obtain benefits and advantages. To obtain benefits for all the people, that is Dao (the Great Way). Where there is Dao, people will pledge their allegiance.
Scroll 31: Liu Tao
99. King Wen of the Zhou dynasty asked Tai Gong: “May I know more about the Dao of the ancient sages?” Tai Gong answered: “When righteousness overcomes desire, a country will flourish. When desire overcomes righteousness, a country will perish. When respectfulness overcomes arrogance, everything will be auspicious; when arrogance overcomes respectfulness, all achievements will be destroyed. Therefore, a government that lets righteousness prevail over selfish desires will rule effectively, and a government that lets arrogance prevail over respectfulness will be destroyed.”
Scroll 31: Liu Tao
100. When morality, code of ethics, benevolence and righteousness are observed, the world will naturally revert to its right path.
Scroll 43: Shuo Yuan
101. When Dao (the Great Way) is implemented in governing, there is peace and stability in the country despite having few rules. Against the Dao, rules might be plenty but they will only bring confusion and chaos to the country.
Scroll 35: Wen Zi
102. “If the order of the four seasons is interrupted, disasters will follow. If the earth reverses the order of nature, strange phenomena will appear.” This means that if the people reject virtues and righteousness, chaos will arise; and when chaos arises, disasters and strange phenomena will prevail.
Scroll 5: Chun Qiu Zuo Shi Zhuan, Vol. 2