"Doctorine of the Mean" - читать интересную книгу автора (Confucius)

virtue, but if he do not occupy the throne, he may not presume to make
ceremonies or music.
The Master said, "I may describe the ceremonies of the Hsia dynasty,
but Chi cannot sufficiently attest my words. I have learned the
ceremonies of the Yin dynasty, and in Sung they still continue. I have
learned the ceremonies of Chau, which are now used, and I follow
Chau."
He who attains to the sovereignty of the kingdom, having those three
important things, shall be able to effect that there shall be few
errors under his government.
However excellent may have been the regulations of those of former
times, they cannot be attested. Not being attested, they cannot
command credence, and not being credited, the people would not
follow them. However excellent might be the regulations made by one in
an inferior situation, he is not in a position to be honored.
Unhonored, he cannot command credence, and not being credited, the
people would not follow his rules.
Therefore the institutions of the Ruler are rooted in his own
character and conduct, and sufficient attestation of them is given
by the masses of the people. He examines them by comparison with those
of the three kings, and finds them without mistake. He sets them up
before Heaven and Earth, and finds nothing in them contrary to their
mode of operation. He presents himself with them before spiritual
beings, and no doubts about them arise. He is prepared to wait for the
rise of a sage a hundred ages after, and has no misgivings.
His presenting himself with his institutions before spiritual
beings, without any doubts arising about them, shows that he knows
Heaven. His being prepared, without any misgivings, to wait for the
rise of a sage a hundred ages after, shows that he knows men.
Such being the case, the movements of such a ruler, illustrating his
institutions, constitute an example to the world for ages. His acts
are for ages a law to the kingdom. His words are for ages a lesson
to the kingdom. Those who are far from him look longingly for him; and
those who are near him are never wearied with him.
It is said in the Book of Poetry,-"Not disliked there, not tired
of here, from day to day and night tonight, will they perpetuate their
praise." Never has there been a ruler, who did not realize this
description, that obtained an early renown throughout the kingdom.
Chung-ni handed down the doctrines of Yao and Shun, as if they had
been his ancestors, and elegantly displayed the regulations of Wan and
Wul taking them as his model. Above, he harmonized with the times of
Heaven, and below, he was conformed to the water and land.
He may be compared to Heaven and Earth in their supporting and
containing, their overshadowing and curtaining, all things. He may
be compared to the four seasons in their alternating progress, and
to the sun and moon in their successive shining.
All things are nourished together without their injuring one
another. The courses of the seasons, and of the sun and moon, are
pursued without any collision among them. The smaller energies are
like river currents; the greater energies are seen in mighty