Heaven and the People's Choice
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English translation
Original Chinese text
万章曰:“尧以天下与舜,有诸?”孟子曰:“否,天子不能以天下与人。”“然则舜有天下也,孰与之?”曰:“天与之。”“天与之者,谆谆然命之乎?”曰:“否,天不言,以行与事示之而已矣。”
English translation
Wan Zhang asked, “Did Yao hand the realm over to Shun?” Mencius said, “No. A Son of Heaven cannot give the realm to another person.” “Then who gave the realm to Shun?” “Heaven gave it to him.” “Did Heaven give it by repeatedly issuing a clear command?” “No. Heaven does not speak; it shows its will through a person’s conduct and deeds.”
Original Chinese text
曰:“以行与事示之者,如之何?”曰:“天子能荐人于天,不能使天与之天下;诸侯能荐人于天子,不能使天子与之诸侯;大夫能荐人于诸侯,不能使诸侯与之大夫。昔者尧荐舜于天而天受之,暴之于民而民受之。故曰:天不言,以行与事示之而已矣。”
English translation
“How does Heaven show its will through conduct and deeds?” Mencius replied, “A Son of Heaven can recommend someone to Heaven, but cannot make Heaven give that person the realm. A lord can recommend someone to the Son of Heaven, but cannot make the Son of Heaven grant that person a lordship. A minister can recommend someone to a lord, but cannot make the lord grant that person a ministerial post. In the past, Yao recommended Shun to Heaven, and Heaven accepted him; he then presented Shun to the people, and the people accepted him. That is why I say Heaven does not speak, but shows its will through conduct and deeds.”
Original Chinese text
曰:“敢问荐之于天而天受之,暴之于民而民受之,如何?”曰:“使之主祭而百神享之,是天受之。使之主事而事治,百姓安之,是民受之也。天与之,人与之,故曰:天子不能以天下与人。”
English translation
“How can we tell that Heaven accepted the recommendation and the people accepted Shun when he was presented to them?” Mencius said, “When he was put in charge of sacrifices and the spirits all received them, that showed Heaven’s acceptance. When he was put in charge of affairs, the affairs were well governed and the people were at peace; that showed the people’s acceptance. Heaven gave the realm to him, and the people gave it to him. Thus a Son of Heaven cannot give the realm to another.”
Original Chinese text
舜相尧,二十有八载,非人之所能为也,天也。尧崩,三年之丧毕,舜避尧之子于南河之南。天下诸侯朝觐者,不之尧之子而之舜;讼狱者,不之尧之子而之舜;讴歌者不讴歌尧之子而讴歌舜;故曰“天”也。夫然后之中国,践天子位焉。而居尧之宫,逼尧之子,是“篡”也,非“天与”也。《泰誓》曰:“天视自我民视,天听自我民听。”此之谓也。
English translation
Shun assisted Yao for twenty-eight years; this was beyond what human effort alone could bring about—it was Heaven’s doing. After Yao died and the three-year mourning period ended, Shun withdrew south of the Southern River to make way for Yao’s son. The lords of the realm came to court, but went to Shun rather than Yao’s son; litigants went to Shun rather than Yao’s son; singers praised Shun rather than Yao’s son. This is why it is called Heaven’s choice. Only then did Shun go to the central states and take the throne. Had he occupied Yao’s palace and pressured Yao’s son, that would have been usurpation, not a grant from Heaven. The *Great Declaration* says, “Heaven sees as our people see; Heaven hears as our people hear.” That is what this means.