法法

If the model is not modeled, affairs have no constancy. If the law is not upheld as law, commands are not carried out. If commands are issued but not carried out, the commands are not lawful. If laws exist but are not carried out, those who formulate commands are not careful. If they are careful but commands still fail, rewards and punishments are too light. If they are heavy but still fail, rewards and punishments are not trusted. If they are trusted but still fail, the ruler has not led by personal example. Therefore it is said: when prohibitions prevail over the ruler's own person, commands will prevail among the people.

The ruler has three desires regarding the people. If these three desires are not restrained, the ruler's position is endangered. What are the three desires? First, demands; second, prohibitions; third, commands. When demands are excessive, little is obtained. When prohibitions are excessive, little is stopped. When commands are excessive, little is carried out. The ruler who is harsh finds his subordinates will not listen; if he then coerces them with punishments, those in high position will be plotted against.

What makes a ruler a ruler is his power-position. When the ruler loses his power-position, the ministers will control him. When power-position rests with subordinates, the ruler is controlled by ministers. Therefore it is said: the court hall is farther than a hundred li; the court steps are farther than a thousand li; the palace gate is farther than ten thousand li — meaning that when information is blocked, even what happens nearby can be unknown to the ruler for years. Commands are weightier than treasure; the altars of state take precedence over kinship; law is more precious than the people; authority is more valuable than rank and emolument.

The compass and square are what make circles and squares correct. Even with a clever eye and a skilled hand, one cannot match a crude compass and square in making circles and squares correct. The skilled craftsman can create the compass and square, but cannot abandon them and still make correct circles and squares. Likewise, the sage can create the law, but cannot abandon the law and still govern the state. Even with brilliant wisdom and lofty conduct, to discard the law and govern is like discarding the compass and square and trying to make correct shapes.