尚书 The Book of History -- 《毕命-- Charge to the Duke of Bi》(James Legge 英译)（3）
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毕命: 王曰：“呜呼！父师，今予祗命公以周公之事，往哉！旌别淑慝，表厥宅里，彰善瘅恶，树之风声。弗率训典，殊厥井疆，俾克畏慕。申画郊圻，慎固封守，以康四海。政贵有恒，辞尚体要，不惟好异。商俗靡靡，利口惟贤，余风未殄，公其念哉！
Charge to the Duke of Bi: The king said, 'Oh! Grand-Master, I now reverently charge you with the duties of the duke of Zhou. Go! Signalize the good, separating the bad from them; give tokens of your approbation in their neighbourhoods, making it ill for the evil by such distinction of the good, and thus establishing the influence and reputation (of their virtue). When the people will not obey your lessons and statutes, mark off the boundaries of their hamlets, making them fear (to do evil), and desire (to do good). Define anew the borders and frontiers, and be careful to strengthen the guard-posts through the territory, in order to secure tranquillity (within) the four seas. In measures of government to be consistent and constant, and in proclamations a combination of completeness and brevity, and valuable. There should not be the love of what is extraordinary. Among the customs of Shang was the flattery of superiors; sharp-tonguedness was the sign of worth. The remains of these manners are not yet obliterated. Do you, O duke, bear this in mind.
我闻曰：‘世禄之家，鲜克由礼’。以荡陵德，实悖天道。敝化奢丽，万世同流。兹殷庶士，席宠惟旧，怙侈灭义，服美于人。骄淫矜侉，将由恶终。虽收放心，闲之惟艰。资富能训，惟以永年。惟德惟义，时乃大训。不由古训，于何其训。”
I have heard the saying, "Families which have for generations enjoyed places of emolument seldom observe the rules of propriety. They become dissolute, and do violence to virtue, setting themselves in positive opposition to the way of Heaven. They ruin the formative principles of good; encourage extravagance and display; and tend to carry all (future ages) on the same stream with them." Now the officers of Yin had long relied on the favour which they enjoyed. In the confidence of their prideful extravagance they extinguished their (sense of) righteousness. They displayed before men the beauty of their robes - proud, licentious, arrogant, and boastful - the natural issue was that they should end in being thoroughly bad. Although their lost minds have (in a measure) been recovered, it is difficult to keep them under proper restraint. If with their property and wealth they can be brought under the influence of instruction, they may enjoy lengthened years, virtue, and righteousness! - these are the great lessons. If you do not follow in dealing with them these lessons of antiquity, wherein will you instruct them?'
