Section 64.1
When the king does not [act with] propriety toward his ministers and his expression is not solemn and reverent, wood cannot be bent or straightened. In summer there will be too much violent wind. Wind [corresponds to] the qi of Wood and the note jue. Thus Wood responds to the king with violent winds.
When the king’s speech is not compliant, metal will not follow its [successive] refinements [in smelting]. In autumn there will be too much rumbling thunder. Rumbling thunder corresponds to the qi of Metal and the note shang. Thus Metal responds to the king with rumbling thunder.
When the king’s sight is not clear, fire will not kindle. In autumn there will be too much lightning. Lightning corresponds to the qi of Fire and the note zhi. Thus Fire responds to the king with lightning.
When the king’s hearing is not acute, water will not moisten [the soil].
1 In summer there will be too much violent rain. Rain corresponds to the
qi of Water and the note
yu. Therefore, Water responds to the king with violent rains.
When the king’s thought cannot retain [things], sowing and reaping will not succeed. In autumn there will be too much thunder. Thunder corresponds to the qi of Earth and the note gong. Thus Earth responds to the king with thunder. [64/65/8–13]
The five affairs:
The first is called expression;
the second is called speech;
the third is called sight;
the fourth is called hearing;
and the fifth is called thought.
2What does this mean? The five affairs are the destiny that human beings receive from Heaven. The king cultivates them [so as] to bring order to the people. Therefore the king, on behalf of the people, [ensures that]
[his] governance does not fail to be enlightened and
[his] level and marking cord do not fail to be true.
The king’s expression is said to be respectful. Respectful means that it is reverent.
[The king’s] speech is said to be compliant. Compliant means that it can be obeyed.
[The king’s] sight is said to be clear. Clear means that it knows the distinction between the sage and the fool; it distinguishes clearly between black and white.
[The king’s] hearing is said to be astute. Astute means that it can hear of an affair and discern its significance.
[The king’s] thought is said to be capacious. To be capacious means that there is nothing that it does not contain.
Respectfulness makes solemnity;
compliance makes eminence;
clarity makes wisdom;
astuteness makes deliberation;
and retention makes sagacity.
3What does this mean?
“Respectfulness makes solemnity.” This means that if the king sincerely internalizes the bearing of respectfulness and reverence, there will be no one in the world who will not be awed.
“Compliance makes eminence.” This means that the king’s speech can be obeyed; being brilliant and correct, it is obeyed and implemented, and the world becomes ordered.
“Clarity makes wisdom.” To be wise means to know. [This means] that when the king is enlightened, then
those who are sages will be promoted;
those who are fools will be demoted;
the world will recognize the good and be encouraged by it;
and the world will recognize the evil and be shamed by it.
“Astuteness makes deliberation.” Deliberation means to plan affairs. When the king is astute, upon hearing of an affair, he will make plans together with his ministers. Thus in managing affairs, he will be free from erroneous plans.
“Retention makes sagacity.” Sagacity means to establish. When the king’s mind is broad and expansive, there will be nothing that it does not contain. His sagacity can be put into effect and established, and each one of his undertakings will achieve what is fitting [to the circumstance].
If the king is able to be reverent, he will be solemn. When he is solemn, the spring qi will obtain. Thus solemnity governs spring. In spring, the yang qi is incipient, and the myriad things are tender and supple. Their influence is weak, and they are easily transformed. During this season, the yin qi is fractious. Thus the king is mindful. Being mindful, he does not discuss affairs pertaining to yin. Only then will the myriad things follow their natural course, and only then can wood [be worked to become] bent or straight. In spring,
if the king implements autumn policies, the grasses and trees will wither;
if the king implements winter policies, there will be snow;
and if the king implements summer policies, there will be killing.
[Thus] in spring, if the king diverges from the appropriate policies….
4If the king is able to bring order, righteousness will be established. When righteousness is established, the autumn
qi will obtain. Thus eminence governs autumn. In autumn, the yin
5 qi begins to kill. If the king implements minor punishments and penalties and the common people do not violate [the laws and prohibitions], propriety and righteousness will be perfected. During this season, the yang
qi is fractious. Thus the king assists with the affairs of the overseers of the herdsmen. Only then are the myriad things brought to completion and fruition. In autumn, the grasses and trees will not prosper and flower. Metal follows its [successive processes of] refinement. In autumn,
if the king implements spring policies, there will be [unseasonable] flowering;
if the king implements summer policies, there will be excessive growth;
if the king implements winter policies, there will be fallen [fruit].
Thus in autumn, if the king diverges from the appropriate policies, in spring there will be great winds that do not let up, and thunder will not sound forth.
If the king is able to know, he will know [the difference between] good and evil. When he knows [the difference between] good and evil, the summer
qi will obtain. Thus wisdom governs summer. In summer, the yang
qi begins to flourish, and the myriad things prosper and mature. If the king does not hide his clarity, the Way will not recede or be obstructed. After the summer solstice, the Great Heat declines, and the myriad things propagate abundantly and become pregnant.
6 During this season, chilling causes injury. Thus the king assists with the tasks of rewarding with gifts. Only then in summer, the grasses and trees will not be injured by frost, and fire will be kindled. In summer,
if the king implements spring policies, there will be winds;
if the king implements autumn policies, there will be floods;
and if the king implements winter policies, there will be fallen [fruit].
Thus in summer, if the king diverges from the appropriate policies, there will be no freezing in winter, the five [kinds of] grain will not be stored away, and the Great Cold will not let up.
If the king is free from erroneous deliberations, the winter
qi will obtain. Thus deliberations govern winter. In winter, the yin
qi begins to flourish, and the grasses and trees inevitably will die. If the king is capable of staying informed of affairs and exhibiting caution in his planning and reflecting, he will not invade or chastise other states. If he does not invade or chastise other states or kill [those not deserving execution], then those who die will not despise him, and those who live will not resent him. After the winter solstice, the Great Cold declines, and the myriad things hide themselves under the earth. During this season, heating causes injury. Thus the king assists with the task of urgent judgments. […] with water saturating what lies below the earth.
7 In winter,
if the king implements spring policies, there will be steam;
if the king implements summer policies, there will be snow;
if the king implements autumn policies, there will be drought.
Thus in winter, if the king diverges from the appropriate policies, the grasses and trees will not bear fruit in the summer, there will be frost, and the five [kinds of] grains will fail and wither away. [64/65/13–64/66/12]