君臣上

The ruler cultivates the Way that governs from above but does not speak of what lies within the offices; the minister manages affairs within the offices but does not speak of what lies outside. When the ruler's Way is not clear, those who receive commands are confused; when standards of authority are not unified, those who cultivate duty are bewildered. Heaven has its constant phenomena; earth has its constant form; man has his constant propriety. Unifying these three is the ruler's Way; dividing and assigning them is the minister's task. The ruler who loses his Way has nothing with which to possess his state; the minister who loses his task has nothing with which to hold his position. The Way of governance: virtue issues from the ruler; institutions transmit through the minister; tasks are regulated through offices; the common people's strength is directed by commands. The ruler draws the plan; the minister guards it; the official executes it; the people serve it.