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Chinese Text Project
Simplified Chinese version
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《生民之什 - Decade Of Sheng Min》

English translation: James Legge [?] Library Resources

生民 - Sheng Min

English translation: James Legge [?]
Books referencing 《生民》 Library Resources
1 生民:
厥初生民、时维姜嫄。
生民如何、克禋克祀、以弗无子。
履帝武敏歆、攸介攸止、载震载夙、载生载育、时维后稷。
Sheng Min:
The first birth of [our] people,
Was from Jiang Yuan.
How did she give birth to [our] people?
She had presented a pure offering and sacrificed,
That her childlessness might be taken away.
She then trod on a toe-print made by God, and was moved,
In the large place where she rested.
She became pregnant; she dwelt retired;
She gave birth to, and nourished [a son],
Who was Hou-ji.

2 生民:
诞弥厥月、先生如达、不坼不副、无灾无害。
以赫厥灵、上帝不宁、不康禋祀、居然生子。
Sheng Min:
When she had fulfilled her months,
Her first-born son [came forth] like a lamb.
There was no bursting, nor rending,
No injury, no hurt; -
Showing how wonderful he would be.
Did not God give her the comfort?
Had He not accepted her pure offering and sacrifice,
So that thus easily she brought forth her son?

3 生民:
诞置之隘巷、牛羊腓字之。
诞置之平林、会伐平林。
诞置之寒冰、鸟覆翼之。
鸟乃去矣、后稷呱矣、实覃实吁、厥声载路。
Sheng Min:
He was placed in a narrow lane,
But the sheep and oxen protected him with loving care.
He was placed in a wide forest,
Where he was met with by the wood-cutters.
He was placed on the cold ice,
And a bird screened and supported him with its wings.
When the bird went away,
Hou-ji began to wail.
His cry was long and loud,
So that his voice filled the whole way.

4 生民:
诞实匍匐、克歧克嶷、以就口食。
蓺之荏菽、荏菽旆旆、禾役穟穟、麻麦幪幪、瓜瓞唪唪。
Sheng Min:
When he was able to crawl,
He looked majestic and intelligent.
When he was able to feed himself,
He fell to planting large beans.
The beans grew luxuriantly;
His rows of paddy shot up beautifully;
His hemp and wheat grew strong and close;
His gourds yielded abundantly.

5 生民:
诞后稷之穑、有相之道。
茀厥丰草、种之黄茂。
实方实苞、实种实袖、实发实秀、实坚实好、实颖实栗。
即有邰家室。
Sheng Min:
The husbandry of Hou-ji,
Proceeded on the plan of helping [the growth].
Having cleared away the thick grass,
He sowed the ground with the yellow cereals.
He managed the living grain, till it was ready to burst;
Then he used it as seed, and it sprang up;
It grew and came into ear;
It became strong and good;
It hung down, every grain complete; -
And thus he was appointed lord of Tai.

6 生民:
诞降嘉种、维秬维秠、维穈维芑。
恒之秬秠、是获是亩。
恒之穈芑、是任是负。
以归肇祀。
Sheng Min:
He gave his people the beautiful grains:
The black millet, and the double-kernelled;
The tall red, and the white.
They planted extensively the black and the double-kernelled,
Which were reaped and stacked on the ground.
They planted extensively the tall red and the white,
Which were carried on their shoulders and backs,
Home for the sacrifices which he founded.

7 生民:
诞我祀如何。
或舂或揄、或簸或蹂。
释之叟叟、烝之浮浮。
载谋载惟、取萧祭脂、取羝以軷。
载燔载烈、以兴嗣岁。
Sheng Min:
And how as to our sacrifices [to him]?
Some hull [the grain]; some take it from the mortar;
Some sift it; some tread it.
It is rattling in the dishes;
It is distilled, and the steam floats about.
We consult; we observe the rites of purification;
We take southernwood and offer it with the fat;
We sacrifice a ram to the Spirit of the path;
We offer roast flesh and broiled:
And thus introduce the coming year.

8 生民:
卬盛于豆、于豆于登。
其香始升、上帝居歆。
胡臭亶时、后稷肇祀、庶无罪悔、以迄于今。
Sheng Min:
We load the stands with the offerings,
The stands both of wood and of earthenware.
As soon as the fragrance ascends,
God, well pleased, smells the sweet savour.
Fragrant is it, and in its due season!
Hou-ji founded the sacrifice,
And no one, we presume, has given occasion for blame or regret in regard to it,
Down to the present day.

行苇 - Xing Wei

English translation: James Legge [?]
Books referencing 《行苇》 Library Resources
1 行苇:
敦彼行苇 。
牛羊勿践履 。
方苞方体。
维叶泥泥 。
戚戚兄弟 。
莫远具尔。
或肆之筵。
或授之几。
Xing Wei:
In thick patches are those rushes, springing by the way (-side);
Let not the cattle and sheep trample them.
Anon they will burst up; anon they will be completely formed,
With their leaves soft and glossy.
Closely related are brethren; -
Let none be absent, let all be near.
For some there are spread mats;
For some there are given stools [besides].

2 行苇:
肆筵设席。
授几有缉御。
或献或酢。
洗爵奠斝。
醓醢以荐。
或燔或灸。
嘉淆脾臄。
或歌或咢。
Xing Wei:
The mats are spread, and a second one above;
The stools are given, and there are plenty of servants.
[The guests] are pledged, and they pledge [the host] in return;
He rinses the cup, and the guests put theirs down.
Sauces and pickles are brought in,
With roast meat and broiled.
Excellent provisions there are [also] of tripe and cheek;
With singing to lutes, and with drums.

3 行苇:
敦弓既坚。
四鍭既钧。
舍矢既均。
序宾以贤。
敦弓既句。
既挟四鍭。
四鍭如树。
序宾以不侮。
Xing Wei:
The ornamented bows are strong,
And the four arrows are all balanced.
They discharge the arrows, and all hit,
And the guests are arranged according to their skill.
The ornamented bows are drawn full,
And the four arrows are grasped in the hand.
They go straight to the mark as if planted in it,
And the quests are arranged by the humble propriety of their demeanour.

4 行苇:
曾孙维主。
酒醴维醹。
酌以大斗。
以祈黄耇。
黄耇台背。
以引以翼。
寿考维祺。
以介景福。
Xing Wei:
The distant descendant presides over the feast;
His sweet spirits are strong.
He fills their cups from a measure,
And prays for the hoary old [among his quests]; -
That with hoary age and wrinkled back,
They may lead on one another [to virtue], and support one another [in it];
That so their old age may be blessed,
And their bright happiness [ever] increased.

既醉 - Ji Jui

English translation: James Legge [?]
Books referencing 《既醉》 Library Resources
1 既醉:
既醉以酒、既饱以德。
君子万年、介尔景福。
Ji Jui:
You have made us drink to the full of your spirits;
You have satiated us with your kindness,
May you enjoy, O our lord, myriads of years!
May your bright happiness [ever] be increased!

2 既醉:
既醉以酒、尔淆既将。
君子万年、介尔昭明。
Ji Jui:
You have made us drink to the full of your spirits;
Your viands were all set out before us.
May you enjoy, O our lord, myriads of years!
May your bright intelligence [ever] be increased!

3 既醉:
昭明有融、高朗令终。
令终有俶、公尸嘉告。
Ji Jui:
May your bright intelligence become perfect,
High and brilliant, leading to a good end!
That good end has [now] its beginning:
The personator of your ancestors announced it in his blessing.

4 既醉:
其告维何、笾豆静嘉。
朋友攸摄、摄以威仪。
Ji Jui:
What was his announcement?
' [ The offerings in] your dishes of bamboo and wood are clean and fine.
Your friends asisting at the service,
Have done their part with reverent demeanour.

5 既醉:
威仪孔时、君子有孝子。
孝子不匮、永锡尔类。
Ji Jui:
' Your reverent demeanour was altogether what the occasion required,
And not yours only, but that also of your filial son.
For such filial piety, without ceasing,
There will ever be conferred blessing on you.

6 既醉:
其类维何、室家之壼。
君子万年、永锡祚胤。
Ji Jui:
' What will the blessings be?
That along the passages of your palace,
You shall move for ten thousand years;
And there will be granted to you for ever dignity and posterity.

7 既醉:
其胤维何、天被尔禄。
君子万年、景命有仆。
Ji Jui:
' How as to your posterity?
Heaven invests you with your dignity,
Yea for ten thousand years,
The bright appointment is attached to your person.

8 既醉:
其仆维何、厘尔女士。
厘尔女士、从以孙子。
Ji Jui:
' How will it be attached?
There is given you a heroic wife.
There is given you a heroic wife,
And from her shall come [the line of] descendants. '

凫鷖 - Fu Yi

English translation: James Legge [?] Library Resources
1 凫鷖:
凫鷖在泾、公尸来燕来宁。
尔酒既清、尔淆既馨、公尸燕饮、福禄来成。
Fu Yi:
The wild-ducks and widgeons are on the King;
The personators of your ancestors feast and are happy.
Your spirits are clear,
Your viands are fragrant;
The personators of your ancestors feast and drink; -
Their happiness and dignity are made complete.

2 凫鷖:
凫鷖在沙、公尸来燕来宜。
尔酒既多、尔淆既嘉、公尸燕饮、福禄来为。
Fu Yi:
The wild-ducks and widgeons are on the sand;
The personators of the dead enjoy the feast, their appropriate tribute.
Your spirits are abundant,
Your viands are good;
The personators of your ancestors feast and drink; -
Happiness and dignity lend them their aids.

3 凫鷖:
凫鷖在渚、公尸来燕来处。
尔酒既湑、尔淆伊脯、公尸燕饮、福禄来下。
Fu Yi:
The wild ducks and widgeons are on the islets;
The personators of your ancestors feast and enjoy themselves.
Your spirits are strained,
Your viands are in slices;
The personators of your ancestors feast and drink; -
Happiness and dignity descend on them.

4 凫鷖:
凫鷖在潀、公尸来燕来宗。
既燕于宗、福禄攸降。
公尸燕饮、福禄来崇。
Fu Yi:
The wild ducks and widgeons are where the waters meet;
The personators of your ancestors feast, and are honoured.
The feast is spread in the ancestral temple,
The place where happiness and dignity descend.
The personators of your ancestors feast and drink; -
Their happiness and dignity are at the highest point.

5 凫鷖:
凫鷖在亹、公尸来止熏熏。
旨酒欣欣、燔炙芬芬、公尸燕饮、无有后艰。
Fu Yi:
The wild ducks and widgeons are in the gorge;
The personators of your ancestors rest, full of complacency.
Your fine spirits are delicious,
Your flesh, roast and broiled, is fragrant;
The personators of your ancestors feast and drink; -
No troubles shall be theirs after this.

假乐 - Jia Le

English translation: James Legge [?]
Books referencing 《假乐》 Library Resources
1 假乐:
假乐君子、显显令德。
宜民宜人、受禄于天。
保右命之、自天申之。
Jia Le:
Of [our] admirable, amiable, sovereign,
Most illustrious is the excellent virtue.
He orders rightly the people, orders rightly the officers,
And receives his dignity from heaven,
Which protects and helps him, and [confirms] his appointment,
By repeated acts of renewal from heaven.

2 假乐:
干禄百福、子孙千亿。
穆穆皇皇、宜君宜王。
不愆不忘、率由旧章。
Jia Le:
[So] does he seek for the emoluments of dignity, [and obtain] all blessings, -
Thousands and hundreds of thousands of descendants,
Of reverent virtue and admirable character,
Fit to be rulers [of States], fit to be king,
Erring in nothing, forgetful of nothing,
Observing and following the old statutes.

3 假乐:
威仪抑抑、德音秩秩。
无怨无恶、率由群匹。
受福无疆、四方之纲。
Jia Le:
[May they] manifest all self-restraint in deportment,
And their virtuous fame be without fail!
Without resentments, without dislikes,
[May they] give free course to [the good among] the officers,
Receiving blessing without limit,
And regulating all within the four quarters [of the kingdom]!

4 假乐:
之纲之纪、燕及朋友。
百辟卿士、媚于天子。
不解于位、民之攸塈。
Jia Le:
Regulating all, and determining each point,
Giving repose to his friends,
All the princes and ministers,
Will love the son of Heaven.
Not idly occupying his office,
The people will find rest in him.

公刘 - Gong Liu

English translation: James Legge [?] Library Resources
1 公刘:
笃公刘、匪居匪康、乃埸乃疆、 乃积乃仓。
乃裹糇粮、于橐于囊、 思辑用光 。
弓矢斯张、干戈戚扬、爰方启行。
Gong Liu:
Of generous devotion to the people was duke Liu,
Unable to rest or take his ease [where he was],
He divided and subdivided the country into fields;
He stored up the produce in the fields and in barns;
He tied up dried meat and grain,
In bottomless bags and in sacks; -
That he might hold [the people] together, and glorify [his tribe].
Then with bows and arrows all ready,
With shields and spears, and axes, large and small,
He commenced his march.

2 公刘:
笃公刘、于胥斯原、既庶既繁、既顺乃宣、而无永叹。
陟则在巘、复降在原。
何以舟之、维玉及瑶、鞞琫容刀。
Gong Liu:
Of generous devotion to the people was duke Liu,
He had surveyed the plain [where he was settled];
[The people] were numerous and crowded;
In sympathy with them, he made proclamation [of his contemplated measure],
And there were no perpetual sighings about it
He ascended to the hill-tops;
He ascended again to the plains.
What was it that he carried at his girdle?
Pieces of jade, and yao gems,
And his ornamented scabbard with its sword.

3 公刘:
笃公刘、逝彼百泉、瞻彼溥原。
乃陟南冈、乃觏于京。
京师之野、于时处处、于时庐旅、于时言言、于时语语。
Gong Liu:
Of generous devotion to the people was duke Liu,
He went there to [the place of] the hundred springs,
And saw [around him] the wide plain.
He ascended the ridge on the south,
And looked at a large [level] height,
A height affording space for multitudes.
Here was room to dwell in;
Here might booths be built for strangers;
Here he told out his mind;
Here he entered on deliberations.

4 公刘:
笃公刘、于京斯依。
跄跄济济、俾筵俾几。
既登乃依。
乃造其曹、执豕于牢、酌之用匏。
食之饮之、君之宗之。
Gong Liu:
Of generous devotion to the people was duke Liu,
When he had found rest on the height,
With his officers all in dignified order,
He caused mats to be spread, with stools upon them;
And they took their places on the mats and leaned on the stools.
He had sent to the herds,
And taken a pig from the pen.
He poured out his spirits into calabashes;
And so he gave them to eat and to drink,
Acknowledged by them as ruler, and honoured.

5 公刘:
笃公刘、既溥既长、
既景乃冈、相其阴阳、
观其流泉、其军三单。
度其隰原、彻田为粮。
度其夕阳、豳居允荒。
Gong Liu:
Of generous devotion to the people was duke Liu,
[His territory] being now broad and long,
He determined the points of the heavens by means of the shadows; and then, ascending the ridges,
He surveyed the light and the shade,
Viewing [also] the [course of the] streams and springs.
His armies were three troops;
He measured the marshes and plains;
He fixed the revenue on the system of common cultivation of the fields;
He measured also the fields west of the hills;
And the settlement of Bin became truly great.

6 公刘:
笃公刘、于豳斯馆。
涉渭为乱、取厉取锻。
止基乃理、爰众爰有。
夹其皇㵎、遡其过㵎。
止旅乃密、芮鞫之即。
Gong Liu:
Of generous devotion to the people was duke Liu,
Having settled in temporary lodging houses in Bin,
He crossed the Wei by means of boats,
And gathered whetstones and iron.
When his settlement was fixed, and all boudaries defined,
The people became numerous and prosperous,
Occupying both sides of the Huang valley,
And pushing on up that of Guo;
And as the population became dense,
They went on to the country beyond the Ju.

泂酌 - Jiong Zhuo

English translation: James Legge [?]
Books referencing 《泂酌》 Library Resources
1 泂酌:
泂酌彼行潦、挹彼注兹、可以餴饎。
岂弟君子、民之父母 。
Jiong Zhuo:
Take the pool-water from a distance;
Draw it into one vessel and let it flow to another,
And it may be used to stream rice or millet.
[How much more should] the happy and courteous sovereign,
Be the parent of the people!

2 泂酌:
泂酌彼行潦、挹彼注兹、可以濯罍。
岂弟君子、民之攸归 。
Jiong Zhuo:
Take the pool-water from a distance;
Draw it into one vessel and let it flow to another,
And it may be used to wash a [spirit] vase.
[How much more should] the happy and courteous sovereign,
Be the centre of attraction to the people!

3 泂酌:
洞酌彼行潦、挹彼注兹、可以濯溉。
岂弟君子、民之攸塈 。
Jiong Zhuo:
Take the pool-water from a distance;
Draw it into one vessel and let it flow to another,
And it may be used for all purpose of cleansing.
[How much more should] the happy and courteous sovereign,
Be the centre of rest to the people!

卷阿 - Juan A

English translation: James Legge [?]
Books referencing 《卷阿》 Library Resources
1 卷阿:
有卷者阿、飘风自南。
岂弟君子、来游来歌、以矢其音 。
Juan A:
Into the recesses of the large mound,
Came the wind whirling from the south.
There was [our] happy, courteous sovereign,
Rambling and singing;
And I took occasion to give forth my notes.

2 卷阿:
伴奂尔游矣、优游尔休矣。
岂弟君子、俾尔弥尔性、似先公酋矣。
Juan A:
'Full of spirits you ramble;
Full of satisfaction you rest.
O happy and courteous sovereign,
May you fulfill your years,
And end them like your ancestors!

3 卷阿:
尔土宇昄章、亦孔之厚矣。
岂弟君子、俾尔弥尔性、百神尔主矣 。
Juan A:
'Your territory is great and glorious,
And perfectly secure.
O happy and courteous sovereign,
May you fulfill your years,
As the host of all the Spirits!

4 卷阿:
尔受命长矣、茀禄尔康矣。
岂弟君子、俾尔弥尔性、纯嘏尔常矣 。
Juan A:
'You have received the appointment long-ackowledged,
With peace around your happiness and dignity.
O happy and courteous sovereign,
May you fulfill your years,
With pure happiness your constant possession!

5 卷阿:
有冯有翼、有孝有德、以引以翼。
岂弟君子、四方为则 。
Juan A:
'You have helpers and supporters,
Men of filial piety and of virtue,
To lead you on, and act as wings to you,
[So that], O happy and courteous sovereign,
You are a pattern to the four quarters [of the kingdom].

6 卷阿:
顒顒卬卬、如圭如璋、令闻令望。
岂弟君子、四方为纲 。
Juan A:
'Full of dignity and majesty [are they],
Like a jade-mace [in its purity],
The subject of praise, the contemplation of hope.
O happy and courteous sovereign,
[Through them] the four quarters [of the kingdom] are guided by you.

7 卷阿:
凤凰于飞、翽翽其羽、亦集爰止。
蔼蔼王多吉士、维君子使、媚于天子 。
Juan A:
'The male and female phoenix fly about,
Their wings rustling,
While they settle in their proper resting place.
Many are your admirable officers, O king,
Ready to be employed by you,
Loving you, the son of Heaven.

8 卷阿:
凤凰于飞、翽翽其羽、亦傅于天。
蔼蔼王多吉人、维君子命、媚于庶人 。
Juan A:
'The male and female phoenix fly about,
Their wings rustling,
As they soar up to heaven.
Many are your admirable officers, O king,
Waiting for your commands,
And loving the multitudes of the people.

9 卷阿:
凤凰鸣矣、于彼高冈。
梧桐生矣、于彼朝阳 。
菶菶萋萋、雝雝喈喈。
Juan A:
'The male and female phoenix give out their notes,
On that lofty ridge.
The dryandras grow,
On those eastern slopes.
They grow luxuriantly;
And harmoniously the notes resound.

10 卷阿:
君子之车、既庶且多。
君子之马、既闲且驰 。
矢诗不多、维以遂歌。
Juan A:
'Your carriages, O sovereign,
Are many, many.
Your horses, O sovereign,
Are well trained and fleet.
I have made my few verses,
In prolongation of your song. '

民劳 - Min Lu

English translation: James Legge [?]
Books referencing 《民劳》 Library Resources
1 民劳:
民亦劳止、汔可小康。
惠此中国、以绥四方。
无纵诡随、以谨无良。
式遏寇虐、憯不畏明。
柔远能迩、以定我王。
Min Lu:
The people indeed are heavily burdened,
But perhaps a little ease may be got for them.
Let us cherish this centre of the kingdom,
To secure the repose of the four quarters of it.
Let us give no indulgence to the wily and obsequious,
In order to make the unconscientious careful,
And to repress robbers and oppressors,
Who have no fear of the clear will [of Heaven].
Then let us show kindness to those who are distant, and help those who are near; -
Thus establishing [the throne of] our king.

2 民劳:
民亦劳止、汔可小休。
惠此中国、以为民逑 。
无纵诡随、以谨惛怓。
式遏寇虐、无俾民忧 。
无弃尔劳、以为王休。
Min Lu:
The people indeed are heavily burdened,
But perhaps a little rest may be got for them.
Let us cherish this centre of the kingdom,
And make it a gathering-place for the people.
Let us give no indulgence to the wily and obsequious,
In order to make the noisy braggarts careful,
And to repress robbers and oppressors; -
So the people shall not have such sorrow.
Do not cast away your [former] service,
But secure the quiet of the king.

3 民劳:
民亦劳止、汔可小息。
惠此京师、以绥四国 。
无纵诡随、以谨罔极。
式遏寇虐、无俾作慝 。
敬慎威仪、以近有德。
Min Lu:
The people indeed are heavily burdened,
But perhaps a little relief may be got for them.
Let us cherish this capital,
To secure the repose of the States in the four quarters.
Let us give no indulgence to the wily and obsequious,
To make careful those who set no limit to themselves,
And to repress robbers and oppressors; -
Not allowing them to act out their evil.
Then let us be reverently careful of our demeanour,
To cultivate association with the virtuous.

4 民劳:
民亦劳止、汔可小愒。
惠此中国、俾民忧泄 。
无纵诡随、以谨丑厉。
式遏寇虐、无俾正败 。
戎虽小子、而式弘大。
Min Lu:
The people indeed are heavily burdened,
But perhaps a little repose may be got for them.
Let us cherish this centre of the kingdom,
That the sorrow of the people may be dispelled.
Let us give no indulgence to the wily and obsequious,
In order to make the multitudes of the evil careful,
And to repress robbers and oppressors,
So that the right shall not be over thrown.
Though you may be [but as] little children,
Your work is vast and great.

5 民劳:
民亦劳止、汔可小安。
惠此中国、国无有残 。
无纵诡随、以谨缱绻。
式遏寇虐、无俾正反 。
王欲玉女、是用大谏。
Min Lu:
The people indeed are heavily burdened,
But perhaps a little tranquillity may be got for them.
Let us cherish this centre of the kingdom,
That it may not everywhere suffer such wounds.
Let us give no indulgence to the wily and obsequious,
In order to make the parasites careful,
And to repress robbers and oppressors,
So that the right shall not be reversed.
The king wishes to hold you as [sceptres of] jade,
And therefore I thus strongly admonish you.

板 - Ban

English translation: James Legge [?]
Books referencing 《板》 Library Resources
1 板:
上帝板板、下民卒瘅。
出话不然、为犹不远 。
靡圣管管、不实于亶。
犹之未远、是用大谏 。
Ban:
God has reversed [His usual course of procedure],
And the lower people are full of distress.
The words which you utter are not right;
The plans which you form are not far-reaching.
As there are not sages, you think you have no guidance;
You have no reality in your sincerity.
[Thus] your plans do not reach far,
And I therefore strongly admonish you.

2 板:
天之方难、无然宪宪。
天之方蹶、无然泄泄。
辞之辑矣、民之洽矣。
辞之怿矣、民之莫矣 。
Ban:
Heaven is now sending down calamities; -
Do not be so complacent.
Heaven is now producing such movements; -
Do not be so indifferent.
If your words were harmonious,
The people would become united.
If your words were gentle and kind,
The people would be settled.

3 板:
我虽异事、及尔同僚。
我即而谋、听我嚣嚣。
我言维服、勿以为笑。
先民有言、询于刍荛 。
Ban:
Though my duties are different from yours,
I am your fellow-servant.
I come to advise with you,
And you hear me with contemptuous indifference.
My words are about the [present urgent] affairs; -
Do not think them matter for laughter.
The ancients had a saying:
'Consult the grass and firewood-gatherers. '

4 板:
天之方虐、无然谑谑。
老夫灌灌、小子蹻蹻。
匪我言耄、尔用忧谑。
多将熇熇、不可救药 。
Ban:
Heaven is now exercising oppression; -
Do not in such a way make a mock of things.
An old man, [I speak] with entire sincerity;
But you, my juniors, are full of pride.
It is not that my words are those of age,
But you make a joke of what is sad.
But the troubles will multiply like flames,
Till they are beyond help or remedy.

5 板:
天之方懠、无为夸毗。
威仪卒迷、善人载尸。
民之方殿屎、则莫我敢葵。
丧乱蔑资、曾莫惠我师 。
Ban:
Heaven is now displaying its anger; -
Do not be either boastful or flattering,.
Utterly departing from all propriety of demeanour,
Till good men are reduced to personators of the dead.
The people now sigh and groan,
And we dare not examine [into the causes of their trouble].
The ruin and disorder are exhausting all their means of living,
And we show no kindness to our multitudes.

6 板:
天之牖民、如埙如篪。
如璋如圭、如取如携。
携无日益、牖民孔易。
民之多辟、无自立辟 。
Ban:
Heaven enlightens the people,
As the bamboo flute responds to the porcelain whistle;
As two half maces form a whole one;
As you take a thing, and bring it away in your hand,
Bringing it away without any more ado.
The enlightenment of the people is very easy.
They have [now] many perversities; -
Do not you set up your perversity [before them].

7 板:
价人维藩、大师维垣、大邦维屏、大宗维翰、怀德维宁、宗子维城。
无俾城坏、无独斯畏。
Ban:
Good men are a fence;
The multitudes of the people are a wall;
Great States are screens;
Great Families are buttresses;
The cherishing of virtue secures repose;
The circle of [the king's] Relatives is a fortified wall.
We must not let the fortified wall get destroyed;
We must not let him solitary be consumed with terrors.

8 板:
敬天之怒、无敢戏豫。
敬天之渝、无敢驰驱。
昊天曰明、及尔出王。
昊天曰旦、及尔游衍。
Ban:
Revere the anger of Heaven,
And presume not to make sport or be idle.
Revere the changing moods of Heaven,
And presume not to drive about [at your pleasure].
Great Heaven is intelligent,
And is with you in all your goings.
Great Heaven is clear-seeing,
And is with you in your wandering and indulgences.

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