전9장

What is meant by "In order rightly to govern the state, it is necessary first to regulate the family," is this:-It is not possible for one to teach others, while he cannot teach his own family. Therefore, the ruler, without going beyond his family, completes the lessons for the state. There is filial piety:-therewith the. sovereign should be served. There is fraternal submission:-therewith elders and superiors should be served. There is kindness:-therewith the multitude should be treated.

修身則家可敎矣 孝弟慈所以修身而敎於家者也 然而國之所以事君事長使衆之道 不外乎此 此所以家齊於上而敎成於下也

In the Announcement to K'ang, it is said, "Act as if you were watching over an infant." If a mother is really anxious about it, though she may not hit exactly the wants of her infant, she will not be far from doing so. There never has been a girl who learned to bring up a child, that she might afterwards marry.

此引書而釋之 又明立敎之本 不假强爲 在識其端而推廣之耳

From the loving example of one family a whole state becomes loving, and from its courtesies the whole state becomes courteous while, from the ambition and perverseness of the One man, the whole state may be led to rebellious disorder;-such is the nature of the influence. This verifies the saying, "Affairs may be ruined by a single sentence; a kingdom may be settled by its One man."

一人謂君也 機發動所由也 　覆敗也 此言敎成於國之效

Yao and Shun led on the kingdom with benevolence and the people followed them. Chieh and Chau led on the kingdom with violence, and people followed them. The orders which these issued were contrary to the practices which they loved, and so the people did not follow them. On this account, the ruler must himself be possessed of the good qualities, and then he may require them in the people. He must not have the bad qualities in himself, and then he may require that they shall not be in the people. Never has there been a man, who, not having reference to his own character and wishes in dealing with others, was able effectually to instruct them.

此又承上文一人定國而言 有善於己然後 可以責人之善 無惡於己然後 可以正人之惡 皆推己而及人 所謂恕也 不如是則所令 反其所好 而民不從矣 喩曉也

Thus we see how the government of the state depends on the regulation of the family.

通結上文

In the Book of Poetry, it is said, "That peach tree, so delicate and elegant! How luxuriant is its foliage! This girl is going to her husband's house. She will rightly order her household." Let the household be rightly ordered, and then the people of the state may be taught.

詩周南桃夭之篇 夭夭少好貌 　　美盛貌 興也 之子猶言是子 此指女子之嫁者而言也 婦人謂嫁曰歸 宜猶善也

In the Book of Poetry, it is said, "They can discharge their duties to their elder brothers. They can discharge their duties to their younger brothers." Let the ruler discharge his duties to his elder and younger brothers, and then he may teach the people of the state.

詩小雅蓼蕭篇

In the Book of Poetry, it is said, "In his deportment there is nothing wrong; he rectifies all the people of the state." Yes; when the ruler, as a father, a son, and a brother, is a model, then the people imitate him.

詩曹風　鳩篇 　差也

This is what is meant by saying, "The government of his kingdom depends on his regulation of the family."

此三引詩 皆以詠歎上文之事 而又結之如此 其味深長 最宜潛玩 右傳之九章 釋齊家治國