Filsafat China.pdf

THE GROWTH OF HUMANISM
think that this document is much later than the twelfth century B.C.,
but concrete proof is lacking. Besides, its spirit is perfectly consonant
with that of the songs of Early Chou, that is, that the power
of Heaven is recognized, but the deciding factor is human virtue.
4. SPIRITS, THE SOUL, AND IMMORTALITY
In the fifteenth year (of King Hui, 662 B.C.), a spiritual being descended,
and appeared in Hsin. The Bang asked his minister Kuo, saying,
"Why is this? Is there such a thing?"
Kuo replied, "Yes. When a state is about to rise, its ruler is solemn, illustrious,
sincere, and correct. He is discriminating, pure, kind, and
affable. His virtue is sufficient to make his fragrant offerings manifest,
and his kindness is sufficient to unify the people. As the spiritual beings
enjoy his offerings and the people listen to him, neither the people nor the
spiritual beings have any complaint. Therefore brilliant spiritual beings
descend in his state, see the evidence of the virtue of the government,
and spread blessings everywhere. When the state is about to perish, its
ruler is greedy, reckless, depraved, and perverted. He is lewd, indolent,
negligent, and lazy. He is vulgar and cruel. Because his government has
a disgusting odor, his offerings do not rise [to reach the spiritual beings].
And because his punishments are imposed on the basis of treachery and
slander, his people desert him and divert their loyalty elsewhere. The
brilliant spiritual beings no longer give him purification, and his people
want to leave him. 24 Both the people and the spiritual beings blame him
and hate him, and there is nothing in him for them to cling to. The spiritual
beings likewise go to such a state, see the evidence of oppression and
evil, and send down calamity." (Kuo-yü or Conversations of the States,
SPPY, 1:11a-12b)
The Marquis of Chin again (in 655 B.C.) borrowed a way through
Yü to attack Kuo. (Great Officer) Kung Chih-ch'i remonstrated with
him. . . . The marquis said, "My sacrificial offerings have been abundant
and pure. Spiritual beings will comfort me." 25
Kung Chih-ch'i replied, "I have heard that spiritual beings are not
endeared to man as such but cleave only to virtue. Therefore it is said in
the 'Book of Chou' that 'August Heaven has no affections; it helps only
the virtuous.' 26 It further says, 'It is not the millet that has the fragrance
[which attracts the spiritual beings]. Illustrious virtue alone has the
24 According to the commentary by Wei Chao (of the Wu period, 222-280), to
rebel against him.
25 According to the Ch'un-ch'iu Tso chuan cheng-i (Correct Meanings of Tso's
Commentary on the Spring and Autumn Annals) by K'ung Ying-ta, chü here
means to comfort.
26 History, "Charge to Chung of Ts'ai." Cf. Legge, Shoo King, p. 490.
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