1. Examining into antiquity, (we find that) the Tî Shun[1] was styled Khung-hwâ[2]. His character was entirely conformed to (that of) the (former) Tî; he was profound, wise, accomplished, and intelligent. He was mild and courteous, and truly sincere. The report of his mysterious virtue was heard on high, and he was appointed to office.
2. (Shun) carefully set forth the beauty of the five cardinal duties, and they came to be (universally) observed. Being appointed to be General Regulator, the affairs of every (official) department were arranged in their proper seasons. (Being charged) to receive (the princes) from the four quarters of the land, they were all docilely submissive. Being sent to the great plains at the foot of the mountains, notwithstanding the tempests of wind, thunder, and rain, he did not go astray.
The Tî said, 'Come, you Shun. I have consulted you on (all) affairs, and examined your words, and found that they can be carried into practice;—(now) for three years. Do you ascend the seat of the Tî.' Shun wished to decline in favour of some one more virtuous, and not to consent to be (Yâo's) successor. On the first day of the first month, (however), he received (Yâo's) retirement (from his duties) in the temple of the Accomplished Ancestor[3].*
3. He examined the pearl-adorned turning sphere,
- ↑ If Shun be taken as an epithet, it will mean 'the Benevolent and Sage.'
- ↑ Khung-hwâ, the name of Shun according to the Han scholars, may mean 'the Glorious (Yâo) repeated.'
- ↑ The Accomplished Ancestor would be, probably, the individual in some distant time to whom Yâo traced his possession of the throne.
