Shu Ching. The Counsels of Kao-Yao, Chapter 3.

3. 'From Heaven are the (social) relationships with their several duties; we are charged with (the enforcement of) those five duties; ­ and lo! we have the five courses of honourable conduct. From Heaven are the (social) distinctions with their several ceremonies; from us come the observances of those five ceremonies; ­ and lo! they appear in regular practice. When (sovereign and ministers show) a common reverence and united respect for these, lo! the moral nature (of the people) is made harmonious. Heaven graciously distinguishes the virtuous; ­ are there not the five habiliments, five decorations of them? Heaven punishes the guilty; ­ are there not the five punishments, to be severally used for that purpose? The business of government! ­ ought we not to be earnest in it? ought we not to be earnest in it?

'Heaven hears and sees as our people hear and see; Heaven brightly approves and displays its terrors as our people brightly approve and would awe; ­ such connection is there between the upper and lower (worlds). How reverent ought the masters of territories to be!'

Text source: Shu Ching, The Book of History. Translated by James Legge

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China - Ancient - History - Chinese - Chinese translation