Text of Confucianism Part 02

SR No.: 007676
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: James Legge
Publisher: Oxford
Publication Year: 1882
Total Pages: 2405
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 43 MB

Page 1816

V, 23.
BY SPIRITUAL POWER FIXING HIS YEARS. 259
Your land productive and in peaceful quiet-this is your great renown; but true gracefulness of body and a happy people depend upon the heart wellgoverned. 1791
'Add but to this a reverent (joyful) feeling for religion, then (a people's) fame is at its height! a fertile land and all the dwellers in it, as a united body, virtuous ?! 1792
To-day then learn this virtue, cherish with carefulness the people, lead them as a body in the right way of rectitude 3, even as the ox-king leads the way across the river-ford. 1793
'If a man with earnest recollection ponder on things of this world and the next, he will consider how by right behaviour * (right morals) he prepares, as the result of merit, rest in either world. 1794
'For all in this world will exceedingly revere him, his fame will spread abroad through every part, the virtuous will rejoice to call him friend, and the outflowings of his goodness will know no bounds for ever. 1795
The precious gems found in the desert wilds are all from earth engendered ; moral conduct, likewise, as the earth, is the great source of all that is good 6. 1796
1 Much of this discourse seems to refer to the fertility of the land occupied by these Likkhavis in the valley of the Ganges, and to their good rules of government. The character of their government is alluded to in pp. 3, 4, Sacred Books of the East, vol. xi.
The symbol 'tih,' which I have translated by virtue,' means quality' (guna) or 'lustre' (tegas).
• The literal rendering of this line is lead the body of them all in the clear and right (path).'
• Right behaviour, right morality, here refer to the Buddhist rules of right conduct (sîla). * All that is illustrious (shen).
S 2
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