them!—sacred counsels of vast importance, admirable words forcibly set forth! (The ways) of God are not invariable:—on the good-doer he sends down all blessings, and on the evil-doer he sends down all miseries.* Do you but be virtuous, be it in small things (or in large), and the myriad regions will have cause for rejoicing. If you be not virtuous, be it in large things (or in small), it will bring the ruin of your ancestral temple.'
Book V. The Thâi Kiâ
This Book also belongs to the class of 'Lessons or Instructions,' and is called 'the Thâi Kiâ,' because the Instructions were addressed to the young monarch so named. It is divided into three sections or parts. Î Yin finds the young sovereign disobedient to his counsels, and proceeds to a high-handed measure. He removes him from his palace and companions, and keeps him in a sort of easy confinement, near the grave of his grandfather, all the period of mourning; and Thâi Kiâ becomes sincerely penitent and virtuous. This is related in the first section. In the second, Î Yin brings the king back with honour to Po, to undertake the duties of the government, and congratulates him on his reformation. The king responds suitably, and asks the minister to continue to afford him his counsels, which the other at once proceeds to do. The third section is all occupied with further and important counsels.
Section 1.
1. The king, on succeeding to the throne, did not follow (the advice of) Â-hăng[1]. (Â-hăng or) Î Yin
- ↑ Â-hăng, it is said by Sze-ma Khien, was the name of Î. Others make it the title of the chief minister under the dynasty of Shang,='the Support and Steelyard,' 'the Buttress and Director.'
