He who loves his parents will not dare (to incur the risk of) being hated by any man, and he who reveres his parents will not dare (to incur the risk of) being contemned by any man 2. When the love and reverence (of the Son of Heaven) are thus carried to the utmost in the service of his parents, the lessons of his virtue affect all the people, and he becomes a pattern to (all within) the four seas:--this is the filial piety of the Son of Heaven.
It is said in (the Marquis of) Fû on Punishments,
'The One man will have felicity, and the millions of the People will depend on (what ensures his happiness).'
FILIAL PIETY IN THE PRINCES OF STATES.
Above others, and yet free from pride, they dwell on high, without peril; adhering to economy, and carefully observant of the rules and laws, they are full, without overflowing. To dwell on high without peril is the way long to preserve nobility; to be full without overflowing is the way long to preserve riches. When their riches and nobility do not leave their persons, then they are able to preserve the altars of their land and grain, and to secure the harmony of their people and men in office 4:--this is the filial piety of the princes of states.
It is said in the Book of Poetry,
Be apprehensive, be cautious,
As if on the brink of a deep abyss,
As if treading on thin ice!
FILIAL PIETY IN HIGH MINISTERS AND GREAT OFFICERS.
They do not presume to wear robes other than those appointed by the laws of the ancient kings; nor to speak words other than those sanctioned by their speech; nor to exhibit conduct other than that exemplified by their virtuous ways. Thus none of their words being contrary to those sanctions, and none of their actions contrary to the (right) way, from their mouths there comes no exceptionable speech, and in their conduct there are found no exceptionable actions. Their 'words may fill all under heaven, and no error of speech will be found in them. Their actions may fill all under heaven, and no dissatisfaction or dislike will be awakened by them. When these three things--(their robes, their words, and their conduct)--are all complete as they should be, they can then preserve their ancestral temples 1:--this is the filial piety of high ministers and great officers.
It is said in the Book of Poetry,
'He is never idle, day or night,
In the service of the One man.'
FILIAL PIETY IN INFERIOR OFFICERS.
As they serve their fathers, so, they serve their mothers, and they love them equally. As they serve their fathers, so they serve their rulers, and they reverence them equally. Hence love is what is chiefly rendered to the mother, and reverence is what is chiefly rendered to the ruler, while both of these things are given to the father. Therefore when they serve their ruler with filial piety they are loyal; when they serve their superiors with reverence they are obedient. Not failing in this loyalty and obedience in serving those above them, they are then able to preserve their emoluments and positions, and to maintain their sacrifices:--this is the filial piety of inferior officers.
It is said in the Book of Poetry,
'Rising early and going to sleep late,
Do not disgrace those who gave you birth.'
FILIAL PIETY IN THE COMMON PEOPLE.
They follow the course of heaven (in the revolving seasons); they distinguish the advantages afforded by (different) soils; they are careful of their conduct and economical in their expenditure;--in order to nourish their parents:--this is the filial piety of the common people.
Therefore from the Son of Heaven down to the common people, there never has been one whose filial piety was without its beginning and end on whom calamity did not come.
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