Chinese and Arabian Literature - E. Wilson - The Search For Mecca

THE SAYINGS OF MENCIUS 115
honoring one's parents, there is nothing greater than the nour-
ishing them with the empire. To be the father of the son of
Heaven is the height of honor. To be nourished with the em-
pire is the height of nourishment. In this was verified the
sentiment in the ' Book of Poetry,'
' Ever thinking how to be filial,
His filial mind was the model which he supplied.'
" In the ' Book of History ' it is said, ' With respectful service
he appeared before Koo-sow, looking grave and awe-struck,
till Koo-sow also was transformed by his example.' This is
the true case of the scholar of complete virtue not being treated
as a son by his father."
Wan Chang said, " It is said that Yaou gave the empire to
Shun ; was it so ? " Mencius replied, " No ; the emperor cannot
give the empire to another." " Yes ; but Shun possessed
the empire. Who gave it to him ? " " Heaven gave it to
him," was the reply.
" ' Heaven gave it to him ' ; did Heaven confer the appoint-
ment on him with specific injunctions ? " Mencius said, " No
Heaven does not speak. It simply showed its will by his
personal conduct, and by his conduct of afifairs."
" ' It showed its will by his personal conduct, and by his
conduct of affairs,'" returned the other; "how was this?"
Mencius said, " The emperor can present a man to Heaven,
but he cannot make Heaven give that man the empire. A
feudal prince can present a man to the emperor to take his
place, but he cannot make the emperor give the princedom to
that man. A great officer can present a man to his prince, but
he cannot cause the prince to make that man a great officer in
his own room. Anciently Yaou presented Shun to Heaven,
and Heaven accepted him ; he displayed him to the people, and
the people accepted him. Therefore I say, * Heaven does not
speak. It simply indicated its will by his personal conduct,
and by his conduct of affairs.' "
Chang said, " I presume to ask how it was that Yaou presented
Shun to Heaven, and Heaven accepted him, and displayed
him to the people, and the people accepted him." The
reply was, " He caused him to preside over the sacrifices, and all
the Spirits were well pleased with them ; thus it was that
Heaven accepted him. He caused him to preside over the
;