II. v. 1.: WORTHLESS COUNSELLORS. Bounteous Heaven its stern displeasure Vents* upon this lower earth. When shall we have done with counsels And with schemes devoid of worth?† Be a counsel good, ’tis slighted, Be it ill, ’tis entertained. When I see them at such tactics I am sore distressed and pained. In their concord and their discord There is much to be deplored. Be a policy a good one, ’Tis by all of them ignored; Let an ill one be brought forward, Upon that they all depend. When I see them at such tactics, What, methinks, will be the end? Our divining-shells, exhausted, Tell no more what plan is right. Counsellors are far too many, So can never all unite. [222] Though the Court is filled with speakers, Who himself dare implicate?* Like men planning routes and never moving, Thus it is they never get a-gate. O the pity! in their counsels Not the ancients are their guides, Nor great policies their standards: The last word they hear decides!† The last word their sole contention! Like men planning to erect Homes to live in while on travel! Nothing can they thus effect. Though the country be unsettled, There are wise men, and unwise; Though the inhabitants be dwindling, Some have sense, some can advise. Some are grave, and some methodic. Yet, meseems, are one and all— Like the waters from a fountain— Verging to a fatal fall! Who will dare to rouse a tiger? Who will dare to wade the Ho? Sirs, ye know but one way only; Not another do ye know. Act as from a sense of danger, With precaution and with care,— As a yawning gulf o’erlooking, As on ice that scarce will bear! [223]
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Re: 195. 小旻 - Xiao Min
Date: 2021-04-20 02:53 am (UTC)Bounteous Heaven its stern displeasure
Vents* upon this lower earth.
When shall we have done with counsels
And with schemes devoid of worth?†
Be a counsel good, ’tis slighted,
Be it ill, ’tis entertained.
When I see them at such tactics
I am sore distressed and pained.
In their concord and their discord
There is much to be deplored.
Be a policy a good one,
’Tis by all of them ignored;
Let an ill one be brought forward,
Upon that they all depend.
When I see them at such tactics,
What, methinks, will be the end?
Our divining-shells, exhausted,
Tell no more what plan is right.
Counsellors are far too many,
So can never all unite.
[222]
Though the Court is filled with speakers,
Who himself dare implicate?*
Like men planning routes and never moving,
Thus it is they never get a-gate.
O the pity! in their counsels
Not the ancients are their guides,
Nor great policies their standards:
The last word they hear decides!†
The last word their sole contention!
Like men planning to erect
Homes to live in while on travel!
Nothing can they thus effect.
Though the country be unsettled,
There are wise men, and unwise;
Though the inhabitants be dwindling,
Some have sense, some can advise.
Some are grave, and some methodic.
Yet, meseems, are one and all—
Like the waters from a fountain—
Verging to a fatal fall!
Who will dare to rouse a tiger?
Who will dare to wade the Ho?
Sirs, ye know but one way only;
Not another do ye know.
Act as from a sense of danger,
With precaution and with care,—
As a yawning gulf o’erlooking,
As on ice that scarce will bear!
[223]
https://oll.libertyfund.org/title/confucius-the-shi-king-the-old-poetry-classic-of-the-chinese