The Succession from Yu to Qi

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English translation

Original Chinese text

English translation

Wan Zhang asked, “People say that by the time of Yu, virtue had declined, so the realm was passed to a son instead of to a worthy person. Is that true?” Mencius said, “No. When Heaven gives the realm to a worthy person, it goes to a worthy person; when Heaven gives it to a ruler’s son, it goes to the son. In the past, Shun recommended Yu to Heaven, and seventeen years passed. After Shun died and the three-year mourning period ended, Yu withdrew to Yangcheng to make way for Shun’s son. The people followed Yu, just as after Yao’s death they followed Shun rather than Yao’s son. Yu recommended Yi to Heaven, and seven years passed. After Yu died and the mourning period ended, Yi withdrew to the north side of Mount Ji to make way for Yu’s son. Those coming to court and litigants went to Qi rather than Yi, saying, ‘He is our ruler’s son.’ Singers praised Qi rather than Yi, saying the same.”

Original Chinese text

English translation

Danzhu was unworthy, and Shun’s son was also unworthy. Shun served Yao and Yu served Shun for many years, so their benefits to the people lasted a long time. Qi was worthy and could respectfully continue Yu’s way. Yi served Yu for fewer years, and his benefits to the people had not lasted long. The long interval between Shun, Yu, and Yi, and whether their sons were worthy or not, were matters of Heaven, beyond human control. What happens without anyone making it happen is Heaven; what arrives without anyone bringing it about is destiny.

Original Chinese text

English translation

A commoner who comes to possess the realm must have virtue like Shun or Yu and also be recommended by the Son of Heaven; that is why Confucius did not possess the realm. In hereditary succession, Heaven removes only rulers like Jie and Zhou; that is why Yi, Yi Yin, and the Duke of Zhou did not take the realm. Yi Yin assisted Tang in becoming king over the realm. When Tang died, Taiding had not yet been enthroned; Waibing ruled for two years and Zhongren for four. Taijia overturned Tang’s established laws and norms, so Yi Yin exiled him to Tong for three years. Taijia repented, blamed and corrected himself, dwelt in benevolence and turned toward righteousness at Tong, and for three years listened to Yi Yin’s instruction; then he returned to Bo.

Original Chinese text

English translation

The Duke of Zhou did not take the realm, just as Yi did not take it in the Xia and Yi Yin did not take it in the Shang. Confucius said, “Tang and Yu yielded the throne, while the Xia, Shang, and Zhou succeeded by hereditary rule; the principle behind them was one and the same.”

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