The Greatness of Filial Piety

English translation

Mencius said, “The whole world was delighted and about to turn to Shun, yet Shun regarded the world’s delight and allegiance as no more than grass and straw. Only Shun could do this. If one cannot win one’s parents’ approval, one cannot fulfill the human role; if one does not live in accord with one’s parents, one cannot be a proper child. Shun exhausted every way of serving his parents, and his father Gusou at last became pleased. When Gusou was pleased, the world was transformed; when Gusou was pleased, the relations between fathers and sons throughout the world were settled. This is what is called great filial piety.”