民

The militia (Means) the multitude Persistence (Means) uprightness The skill to employ the multitude (with) uprightness (Is) especially suited to use by the sovereign The firm (is) central and resonant The practice (is) hazardous, yet responsive To apply this is toxic to all under heaven and yet the people endure behind it (For their) welfare: Given this, where is the error here?

Within the earth there is water The militia The noble young one, accordingly, Is tolerant towards the people And cares for the multitude

The sky above, the lake below Respectful conduct The noble young one, accordingly, distinguishes high and low to steady the human purpose

Heaven and earth interact Interplay Their heirs, accordingly, Enrich and complete heaven’s and earth’s natures Confirming and reciprocating heaven’s and earth’s proper order And thus supporting and protecting the people

15.3x (The) diligent modesty (of) the noble young one: The myriads of people concur

Readiness Firmness resonates, and so the intentions (are) carried out Responsiveness using movement Readiness Readiness responds with movement Since heaven and earth (behave) like this How much more true (this is) (for) establishing delegates (And) mobilizing the reserves! Heaven and earth behave with responsive movement And so the sun and the moon never stray And the four seasons do not vary The wise ones make use of responsive movement (And) as a result, punishments (and) penalties (are) specific And the people consent Readiness’ meaningful timing (is) very important now!

At the base of the mountain is wind Detoxifying The noble young one, accordingly, stirs up the people to fortify character

Above the pool is earth Taking charge The noble young one, accordingly, instructs and plans without exhaustion, Accepts and secures the people without drawing boundaries

20.5x Observing our own lives (Means) observing humanity

The wind moves over the earth Perspective The early sovereigns, accordingly, examined the regions And comprehended their societies To establish their doctrines

23.6x The noble young one gains ground: The people (are) those who uphold (one) * (As) the common people tear down (their own) shacks: In the end not fit to be used

Hungry mouth Persistence (is) promising: Nourish uprightness (and) in due order good fortune Study the hungry mouth: Study what is the purpose in nourishment From the searching mouth (to) the feeding: Study what are the sources of nourishment Heaven (and) earth nourish the myriad beings The wise ones nourish the worthy (and) thereby reach the whole of humanity Hungry mouth’s opportune timing (is) very important here!

Increasing Decreasing the lofty to increase the humble The people’s satisfaction is not a limitation From the lofty down to the humble Such a course (is) highly exemplary Worthwhile to have somewhere to go: Concentration (and) uprightness will be rewarding Worthwhile to cross the great stream: The nature of wood leads to progress Increase moves while adapting The day’s progress is not a limitation Heaven confers, the earth brings forth This increase is without directives The general increase is that of the way, Sharing the time (and) moving in union

44.4x Wanting the fish in one’s disappointment: (So) far from the others

Above the wood there is water The well The noble young one, accordingly, labors for the people to encourage cooperation

Satisfaction (Means) pleasure The firm (is) within and the flexible without Pleasure, accordingly, rewards persistence And so it is complying with heaven And resonant in humanity (When) pleasure (is) used to lead a people The people forget their weariness (When) pleasure (is) used in challenging difficulties The people forget their mortality Pleasure’s great importance (Is) truly in the people’s encouragement!

Boundaries (mean) fulfillment The firm (and) the flexible (are) evenly apportioned While firmness secures the center Bitter limitations do not invite commitment: This path dead ends Satisfaction behind movement at risk An appropriate place to use boundaries Balanced (and) principled in order to follow through Heaven (and) earth (are) constrained And so the four seasons are completed Boundaries serve to define the measures (But) without encroachment on property (And) without harm to the people