Xu Wugui (12)

1 Nie Que was the master of Xu You, and Xu You was the teacher of Emperor Yao.

2 Someday Nie Que saw Xu You packaging for travel. He asked him, “Where to go?”

3 Xu You replied, “I want to find a place to hide myself and go far away from Yao.”

4 Thinking it queer, Nie Que asked further, “Aren’t you his teacher? Why do you leave suddenly?”

5 With a sigh, he answered helplessly, “Yao insists on the governance of benevolence. I am afraid that he would be a laughingstock in the future. I, as his teacher, would eventually be involved in it. If the policy like this went on, it would not be long that our descendants would see the phenomenon that people slay each other openly.

6 Actually, it is not difficult to let the people willing to get along with you. As long as you love them, they will come to approach you.

7 If your policy is for their bliss by making of a good living environment, people will go and seek refuge with you by themselves.

8 People would follow the governor who is happy in doing good things and is warmhearted to the public interest.

9 Only if you went your own way to do something that people hate, people would leave you. Why does he carry out the policy of benevolence? To me, it is totally unnecessary.

10 Frankly speaking, common people who would forget benevolence and righteousness are very few; however, they who use the benevolence and righteousness as an excuse to benefit themselves are everywhere.

11 Therefore, I hold that hypocrisy appears in a society when benevolence and righteousness are advocated intently.

12 Governors issue some policies but, as a result, they induce people to hypocrisy. Some intended people make use of the policy to benefit them. To them, it is as easy as blink their eyes.

13 Emperor Yao thinks that the man in a dignified appearance could make contribution to the society; however, he doesn’t know the harm that they may hurt the society is severe too.”