孔子說:“舜該是個最孝順的人了吧?德行方面是圣人,地位上是尊貴的天子,財富擁有整個天下,宗廟里祭祀他,子子孫孫都保持他的功業(yè)。”“所以,有大德的人必定得到他應(yīng)得的地位,必定得到他應(yīng)得的財富,必定得到他應(yīng)得的名聲,必定得到他應(yīng)得的長壽?!薄八?,上天生養(yǎng)萬物,必定根據(jù)它們的資質(zhì)而厚待它們。能成材的得到培育,不能成材的就遭到淘汰?!薄啊对娊?jīng)》說:‘高尚優(yōu)雅的君子,有光明美好的德行,讓人民安居樂業(yè),享受上天賜予的福祿。上天保佑他,任用他,給他以重大的使命?!薄八?,有大德的人必定會承受天命。
中庸·十七
子曰:“舜其大孝也與!德為圣人,尊為天子,富有四海之內(nèi);宗廟饗之,子孫保之。故大德,必得其位,必得其祿,必得其名,必得其壽。故天之生物,必因其材而篤焉,故栽者培之,傾者覆之?!对姟吩唬骸螛肪樱瑧棏椓畹?,宜民宜人,受祿于天;保佑命之,自天申之?!蚀蟮抡弑厥苊??!?br />
XVII
Confucius remarked: "The Emperor Shun might perhaps be considered, in the highest sense of the word, a pious man. In moral qualities he was a saint. In dignity of office he was the ruler of the Empire. In wealth all that the wide world contained belonged to him. After his death his spirit was sacrificed to in the ancestral temple, and his children and grandchildren preserved the sacrifice for long generations."
"Thus it is that he who possesses great moral qualities will certainly attain to corresponding high position; to corresponding great prosperity; to corresponding great name; to corresponding great age."
"For God in giving life to all created things, is surely bountiful to them according to their qualities. Hence the tree that is full of life, he fosters and sustains; while that which is ready to fall, he cuts off and destroys."
The Book of Songs says:
"He is our good and noble King
And oh ! how charming in all his way !
The land and people all do sing
The praise of his impartial sway.
Heaven to his sires the Kingdom gave
And him with equal favour views;
Heaven's strength and aid will ever save
The throne whose grant it oft renews."
"It is therefore true that he who possesses exceedingly great moral qualities will certainly receive the divine call to the Imperial throne."