天志(下)

What does conforming to Heaven's will look like? It means universally loving all people in the realm. How do we know it means universally loving all people in the realm? Because Heaven universally feeds them. How do we know Heaven universally feeds them? From ancient times to the present, there is no remote, isolated, or barbarous state that does not raise cattle, sheep, dogs, and pigs, and prepare clean grain offerings and wine to reverently sacrifice to the Supreme Deity, the mountains and rivers, and the ghosts and spirits. From this we know that Heaven universally feeds them. If Heaven universally feeds them, it must universally love them.

Conforming to Heaven's will is universality; opposing Heaven's will is partiality. The way of universality is righteous government; the way of partiality is forceful government. What does righteous government look like? The great do not attack the small, the strong do not humiliate the weak, the many do not plunder the few, the cunning do not deceive the foolish, the noble are not arrogant toward the humble, the rich do not look down on the poor, and the vigorous do not rob the old.

Now the scholars and gentlemen of the realm who truly desire to practice benevolence and righteousness, who seek to become superior scholars, who above wish to accord with the Way of the sage kings and below wish to serve the interests of the state and the people -- they must examine Heaven's will, for Heaven's will is the warp thread of righteousness.