尚同(中)

The Son of Heaven issued governmental decrees and promulgated teachings, saying: 'Whenever you hear or see what is good, you must report it to your superior; whenever you hear or see what is not good, you must also report it to your superior. What your superior affirms, you must also affirm; what your superior condemns, you must also condemn. When you yourself have something good, recommend it broadly; when your superior has a fault, remonstrate and admonish him. Conform your standard of right upward to your superior, and do not harbor a disposition to form factions below. Those above who recognize this will reward you, and the myriad people who hear of it will praise you.'

The words of the former kings said: 'It is not divine power. It is simply the ability to make others' ears and eyes assist one's own seeing and hearing, to make others' mouths assist one's own speaking, to make others' minds assist one's own thinking, and to make others' limbs assist one's own actions.' When many help one see and hear, what one perceives reaches far; when many help one speak, the reach of one's virtuous words extends broadly; when many help one think, one's plans and deliberations are quickly achieved; when many help one act, one's undertakings are quickly accomplished.

Therefore Master Mozi said: 'Now the kings, dukes, great men, and scholars of the realm who desire to enrich their states, increase their people, govern their legal and political affairs, and secure their altars of soil and grain must examine the doctrine of conforming upward, for this is its foundation.'