形勢

When mountains stand tall without collapsing, the sacrificial sheep will arrive; when springs run deep without drying up, the sunken jade will reach its destination. Heaven does not change its constants; earth does not alter its patterns; spring, autumn, winter, and summer do not shift their seasons — from ancient times to the present, this has been the same. When the dragon finds water, its divine power can be established; when the tiger and leopard find deep forests, their authority can be sustained. Wind and rain have no favorites, and resentment cannot reach them. Those who are honored have the means to carry out commands; those who are lowly have the means to forget their humble station. Longevity and early death, poverty and wealth — none come without cause.

Those who bear commands embody the ruler's dignity. Those who receive instructions hold the balance of reputation. When superiors remain unoccupied, the people test themselves. One who holds fast without speaking still brings the court and temple into order. The way of Archer Yi was not about shooting; the art of Zaofu was not about driving chariots; the skill of Xi Zhong was not about carving and cutting. Those who summon the distant do so through nonaction; those who draw the near do so through silence. Only the night-traveler possesses this alone.

The Way speaks of one thing, yet those who apply it differ. One who hears the Way and delights in managing a household is a person of one household. One who hears the Way and delights in managing a district is a person of one district. One who hears the Way and delights in managing a state is a person of one state. One who hears the Way and delights in managing the realm is a person of the realm. One who hears the Way and delights in ordering all things is the counterpart of heaven and earth. Those who accord with the Way of heaven will, even if full, never run dry; those who lose the Way of heaven will, though established, never be secure. He who would become king of the realm yet loses the Way of heaven cannot obtain it.

A green beam topples the house, yet resentment cannot reach it. A small child drops a roof tile, and the loving mother takes up the switch. The ultimate principle of the Way of heaven: the distant will naturally draw near. The origin of human affairs: close kin create enmity. Among all things in relation to mankind, there is no private nearness, no private distance. The skillful have surplus; the clumsy have want. Those whose efforts accord with heaven receive heaven's aid; those whose efforts oppose heaven meet heaven's resistance. What heaven aids, though small, will surely grow great; what heaven resists, though established, will surely fail. Those who follow heaven reap their merit; those who oppose heaven embrace disaster, and can never recover.

Words that cannot be taken back — a ruler does not speak them. Deeds that cannot be done twice — a ruler does not perform them. Words that cannot be retracted and deeds that cannot be repeated are the supreme prohibitions for one who possesses a state. The lone king's state brings toil and many misfortunes. The lone king is humbled and without authority. The self-promoting woman is ugly and untrustworthy. If you have not yet met someone and feel affinity — it is safe to approach. If after long acquaintance they are not forgotten — they are worthy of welcoming.