非樂(上)

Master Mozi said: 'The task of the humane person is necessarily to seek to promote the benefits of the realm and eliminate its harms. He takes this as the standard for the realm: if it benefits people, do it; if it does not benefit people, stop. Moreover, when the humane person plans for the realm, it is not for what is beautiful to the eyes, pleasing to the ears, sweet to the mouth, or comfortable to the body. To use these to diminish and deprive the people of their resources for clothing and food -- the humane person would not do this. Therefore the reason Master Mozi condemns music is not because he considers the sounds of great bells, drums, zithers, mouth organs, and flutes to be unpleasant, not because he considers the colors of carvings and ornamental patterns to be ugly, not because he considers the flavors of roasted and grilled meats to be unsavory, not because he considers lofty terraces, spacious pavilions, and secluded parks to be uncomfortable. He knows full well that they are comfortable, savory, beautiful, and pleasant. Yet when measured above against the affairs of the sage kings, they do not accord; when measured below against the interests of the myriad people, they do not accord. Therefore Master Mozi said: making music is wrong.'

The people have three afflictions: the hungry cannot get food, the cold cannot get clothing, and the weary cannot get rest. These three are the people's great afflictions. In the face of these, should one strike great bells, beat resounding drums, pluck zithers, blow mouth organs, and wave shields and axes in dance? How then will the people's resources for clothing and food be obtained?

Now if the kings, dukes, and great men take pleasure in music and listen to it, they will certainly be unable to rise early and retire late, hear lawsuits and manage governance -- and therefore the state will be in chaos and the altars of soil and grain in danger! If farmers take pleasure in music and listen to it, they will certainly be unable to go out early and come home late, plow, plant, and cultivate, and gather abundant millet and grain -- and therefore millet and grain will be insufficient.

How do we know this is so? The Book of Tang's Official Punishments among the writings of the former kings says: 'Those who constantly dance in the palace -- this is called the shamanistic wind. The punishment: gentlemen pay a fine of silk, commoners pay a fine of two yellow coins.' It further says: 'Alas! The dancing went on and on, the dissolute speech was conspicuous. The Supreme Deity did not approve, and the Nine Domains perished. The Supreme Deity was not pleased and sent down a hundred calamities; their families were certainly ruined and destroyed.'