Shih King. Odes Of The Temple And The Altar. Part 38
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Ode 3. The \"K"ING "K"Ih.
King \"KH"Ng Shows His Sense Of What Was Required Of Him To Preserve The Favour Of Heaven, A Constant Judge; Intimates His Good Purposes; And Asks The Help Of His Ministers To Be Enabled To Perform Them.
Let me be reverent! Let me be reverent! (The way of) Heaven is evident, And its appointment
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is not easily preserved 1. Let me not say that it is high aloft above me. It ascends and descends about our doings; It daily inspects us wherever we are.
I am a little child, Without intelligence to be reverently (attentive to my duties); But by daily progress and monthly advance, I will learn to hold fast the gleams (of knowledge), till I arrive at bright intelligence. Assist me to bear the burden (of my position), And show me how to display a virtuous conduct.
Footnotes
330:1 The meaning is this: 'The way of Heaven is very clear, to bless the good, namely, and punish the bad. But its favour is thus dependent on men themselves, and hard to preserve.'