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God has reversed [His usual course of procedure], |
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And the lower people are full of distress. |
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The words which you utter are not right; |
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The plans which you form are not far-reaching. |
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As there are not sages, you think you have no guidance; |
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You have no reality in your sincerity. |
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[Thus] your plans do not reach far, |
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And I therefore strongly admonish you. |
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Heaven is now sending down calamities; -- |
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Do not be so complacent. |
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Heaven is now producing such movements; -- |
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Do not be so indifferent. |
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If your words were harmonious, |
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The people would become untied. |
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If your words were gentle and kind, |
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The people would be settled. |
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Though my duties are different from yours, |
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I am your fellow-servant. |
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I come to advise with you, |
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And you hear me with contemptuous indifference. |
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My words are about the [present urgent] affairs; -- |
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Do not think them matter for laughter. |
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The ancients had a saying: -- |
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'Consult the grass and firewood-gatherers. ' |
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Heaven is now exercising oppression; -- |
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Do not in such a way make a mock of things. |
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An old man, [I speak] with entire sincerity; |
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But you, my juniors, are full of pride. |
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It is not that my words are those of age, |
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But you make a joke of what is sad. |
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But the troubles will multiply like flames, |
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Till they are beyond help or remedy. |
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Heaven is now displaying its anger; -- |
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Do not be either boastful or flattering,. |
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Utterly departing from all propriety of demeanour, |
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Till good men are reduced to personators of the dead. |
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The people now sigh and groan, |
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And we dare not examine [into the causes of their trouble]. |
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The ruin and disorder are exhausting all their means of living, |
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And we show no kindness to our multitudes. |
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Heaven enlightens the people, |
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As the bamboo flute responds to the porcelain whistle; |
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As two half maces form a whole one; |
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As you take a thing, and bring it away in your hand, |
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Bringing it away without any more ado. |
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The enlightenment of the people is very easy. |
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They have [now] many perversities; -- |
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Do not you set up your perversity [before them]. |
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Good men are a fence; |
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The multitudes of the people are a wall; |
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Great States are screens; |
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Great Families are buttresses; |
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The cherishing of virtue secures repose; |
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The circle of [the king's] Relatives is a fortified wall. |
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We must not let the fortified wall get destroyed; |
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We must not let him solitary be consumed with terrors. |
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Revere the anger of Heaven, |
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And presume not to make sport or be idle. |
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Revere the changing moods of Heaven, |
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And presume not to drive about [at your pleasure]. |
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Great Heaven is intelligent, |
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And is with you in all your goings. |
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Great Heaven is clear-seeing, |
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And is with you in your wandering and indulgences. |