Heaven is what enables all things to be established; Earth is what enables all things to find stability. Therefore, Heaven determines it, Earth accommodates it, the time brings it forth, things receive it, and the sage imitates it. The changes of cold and warmth are not the transformation of a single essence; affairs in the world cannot be known by one person alone, just as the vastness of the sea does not depend solely on the flow of a single stream. Therefore, when a wise ruler governs the world, he urgently seeks people; he does not act alone. He works with Heaven and Earth to establish the four cardinal principles in order to assist state governance. Guidelines are spread out, checks and balances are set up, complementary elements are complete, and positions become stable. The movement of vital energies follows constant principles, moving in accordance with Heaven and Earth. To go against the timing of Heaven is ominous; misfortunes arise when evil deeds occur, when virtuous people are not employed, or when success without merit inevitably leads to failure. One must explore its principles outwardly and investigate its transformations inwardly. Strengthening military forces for external defense may result in disaster arising from within. Preparations should be made far ahead, for dangers often lie close at hand, even among those one loves.

Therefore, the ancient kings appointed officials by recommending the virtuous and employing the capable, without favoring anyone in society. The benevolent reside on the left, loyal ministers stand at the front, righteous officials are placed on the right, and sages remain in the rear. Following benevolence on the left brings springtime growth; following loyalty at the front establishes summer achievements; following righteousness on the right ensures autumn maturity; and following sages in the rear leads to winter concealment and storage. The ancient kings employed these principles; thus, their virtue was lofty yet did not fall, their peace was stable yet did not perish. This is the fundamental law of all things, the gateway to Heaven and Earth, and the benefit of morality. These four great ministers are what a ruler should seek from outside. The ruler is Heaven itself. Heaven does not open its gates to allow those below to harm one another. If promoting the virtuous brings great rewards, then those beneath will not conceal each other’s merits. Without waiting for others, when a ruler honors worthy men and reveals their unobscured achievements, then all who are entrusted with duties will be fully loyal; local communities will admire righteousness, and moral conduct will naturally become upright. This is the result of following the Way and the achievement of virtue.

The origin comes from one person, hence he is called Heaven. No one does not receive his mandate; it cannot be defined by a name, therefore he is called Shén (the Divine). At the extreme of divinity, what appears is without error; the mind remains unconfused even in turmoil, and one’s sole concern is to uphold righteousness throughout the nation. The model for the entire state is fully embodied within oneself. By cultivating one’s own person to guide the world, by upholding righteousness to govern the nation, and by practicing benevolence to unify the king’s cause. Benevolence is the ruler’s virtue, righteousness is the ruler’s conduct, loyalty is the ruler’s administration, and trustworthiness is the ruler’s teaching. The sage is the ruler’s teacher and mentor. The Way of a ruler lies in knowing people; the method of a minister lies in understanding affairs. Therefore, when distributing wealth and property, one must rely on benevolence; in facing danger and responding to difficulties, one must depend on courage; in receiving words and forming arguments, one must employ eloquence; in considering affairs and deciding plans, one must use wisdom; in governing the people and maintaining fairness, one must practice humility; in entertaining guests and presenting proposals, one must observe propriety; in leading the populace and gaining support, one must rely on virtue; in crossing borders to distant lands, one must uphold trustworthiness; and in controlling Heaven and Earth and ruling over feudal lords, one must be a sage.

The virtue of benevolence brings harmony without contention, ensuring the people below do not resent those above. The merit of an eloquent man lies in resolving grievances and easing difficulties. The contribution of a wise man is to govern affairs effectively when they arise and respond appropriately when challenges occur. The achievement of a loyal minister is to speak truthfully and act uprightly, correcting the king’s mistakes. The accomplishment of a righteous official is to preserve what is on the verge of extinction, rescue the weak, and punish the tyrannical. The virtue of a trustworthy subject lies in steadfastness and unchanging words. The merit of a modest and virtuous person is to set aside private interests for the public good. The contribution of an official who observes propriety is to honor the ruler while maintaining humility among ministers. The achievement of a virtuous scholar is such that even rival states fear him, ensuring no invasion from all four borders. The accomplishment of a sage lies in establishing order in unseen ways, pursuing ultimate goals and attaining them; his words are heeded and actions followed, with those near becoming close and distant ones attaching themselves to him. He is wise and far-reaching, connecting all directions, possessing inner standards, and thus has the means to measure people.

For the wealthy, observe what they give; this is sufficient to know their benevolence. For those of high rank, observe whom they recommend; this reveals their loyalty. Observe how they treat elders and juniors, the noble and the lowly; this shows whether they understand propriety and righteousness. Observe what they refuse to do; this reveals their sense of justice. When appointed to an office and entrusted with governance, observe whether they accept or decline it; this demonstrates wisdom. If pressured without fear, one can know their courage. If their words are fluent and skillful in argument, one knows their eloquence. If they act openly without concealment, one knows their trustworthiness. For the poor, observe what they do not take; this reveals their integrity. For those of low status, observe what actions they refuse to perform; this shows their virtue. To measure depth and observe Heaven is sufficient to know a sage.

If the order is not lost and principles do not conflict, then nearby paths are blocked and distant ones remain closed. Preparations for fundamental transformations must be made. Understanding affairs and knowing one’s role, measuring with precision and acting independently—such is the way of a ruler. A leader without virtue appoints petty individuals; his actions become chaotic and turbid. A virtuous ruler appoints outstanding men; his actions are clear and straightforward. These two approaches must first be established from the outset: clarity arises like white ginseng emerging, vital energies flourish in harmony, above they align with omens, below they verify reality. When a ruler meets people with virtue, virtuous men arrive at his door; without speaking, he is trusted, and the ten thousand people become attached and loyal. When a ruler treats people with cruelty and arrogance, the ten thousand people scatter and flee; superiors and inferiors doubt each other, forming a cycle like a ring, day and night undermining one another. Those who advise are not accepted; those who speak face danger to their lives; there is no way to hear of faults—thus high ministers become deceitful rather than loyal. Therefore, a ruler who loves his people as he would his own children will find them coming of their own accord without being summoned.

Therefore it is said: Those who suddenly gain a beautiful reputation without merit, who demand without giving and seek closeness without being accepted—thus it is said: Disaster will suddenly come upon the inauspicious. The duty of an elder toward his ruler is to regulate and harmonize affairs, cultivating sincerity and thickness among the people, guiding them through transformation. When all under Heaven favor this, the Way will daily gain followers; thus, ultimately it must flourish. The conduct of a petty person toward his ruler is to obscure the ruler’s wisdom, block his ears from hearing truth, and exploit his authority to oppress others. The people under Heaven despise such behavior; its influence grows increasingly ominous each day. Thus, ultimately it must fail, bringing disaster upon one’s entire clan. This is the transformation between ruler and minister, the distinction between order and chaos, the critical juncture of rise and decline, and the turning point for a nation’s fate. The matters of disorder or harmony, benefit or harm all arise from this. All things that can be done without learning are only breathing and eating. Therefore, the ancient kings transmitted the Way to be followed by future generations. A virtuous ruler adheres to established laws, ensuring lasting stability for later ages; a lazy and unworthy ruler who does not follow them will bring about the downfall of his time.