尚书 The Book of History -- 《毕命-- Charge to the Duke of Bi》(James Legge 英译)(4)
4
毕命: 王曰:“呜呼!父师,邦之安危,惟兹殷士。不刚不柔,厥德允修。惟周公克慎厥始,惟君陈克和厥中,惟公克成厥终。三后协心,同砥于道,道洽政治,泽润生民,四夷左衽,罔不咸赖,予小子永膺多福。公其惟时成周,建无穷之基,亦有无穷之闻。子孙训其成式,惟乂。呜呼!罔曰弗克,惟既厥心;罔曰民寡,惟慎厥事。钦若先王成烈,以休于前政。”
Charge to the Duke of Bi: The king said, 'Oh! Grand-Master, the security or the danger of the kingdom depends on those officers of Yin. If you are not (too) stern with them nor (too) mild, their virtue will be truly cultivated. The duke of Zhou exercised the necessary caution at the beginning (of the undertaking); Jun-chen displayed the harmony proper to the middle of it; and you, O duke, can bring it at last to a successful issue. You three princes will have been one in aim, and will have equally pursued the proper way. The penetrating power of your principles, and the good character of your measures of government, will exert an enriching influence on the character of the people, so that the wild tribes, with their coats buttoning on the left, will all find their proper support in them, and I, the little child, will long enjoy much happiness. Thus, O duke, there in Cheng-Zhou will you establish for ever the power (of Zhou), and you will have an inexhaustible fame. Your descendants will follow your perfect pattern, governing accordingly. Oh! do not say, "I am unequal to this;" but exert your mind to the utmost. Do not say, "The people are few;" but attend carefully to your business. Reverently follow the accomplished achievements of the former kings, and complete the excellence of the government of your predecessors.'
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