| 3.9 |
The
councilors of an emperor
Are called counselor
But actually they are teachers.
The counselors of a king
Are called counselor,
But actually they are supporters.
The counselors of a tyrant
Are called counselor,
But actually they are guests.
The councilors of a man in danger
Are called counselor,
But actually they are servants.
The counselors of who is damned
Are called counselor,
But actually they are slaves.
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| 3.10 |
Who is presenting
himself broad
Finds many who will avoid him.
Who is presenting others [smaller]
endangers his life and will die in disgrace.
In his own family one cannot resist evil
And in distress he will not chose the right moment.
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| 3.13 |
The area of a Son of Heaven
Is thousand miles in square.
The area of a feudal lord
Is hundred miles in a square
And that is the way
To bind them together.
Therefore it is so, that someone
Who appoints a son of Heaven,
Will take care that there is
No confusion with the feudal lords.
Who is appointing a son of a headwive
Takes care that no confusion rises
With the sons of his other wives.
Who is appointing a headwive
Takes care that no confusion rises
With the servants
When confusion is a possibility
People are detrimental to each other.
When functions are mixed
People will hinder each other.
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| 3.14 |
When
the right opportunity offers
One settles quick the case
Without speaking over it.
When the right moment is not yet there
Then close the gate
And do not show
The smallest piece of yourself.
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3.15 |
The course of Heaven
Comprises cold and warm.
The course of the Earth
Comprises high and low.
The nature of Mankind
Comprises to give and to take.
The one who has a balance
In giving and taking
Is the right person
To be a [good] king.
The ones who have no balance
In giving an taking
Shall be sent in exile
And go down and die.
Heaven provides a
Punishment for them
That turns up
Upon their own heads.
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3.16
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There where fixed patterns do not fit in a period
One puts the Law aside and acts at its own discretion
Because handling in that way is unbecoming
Gives it rise to unhappiness.
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