Ralph D. Sawyer

King Wen: "May I hear about the Sages of antiquity?"

T'ai Kung: "Former generations referred to Emperor Yao, in his kingship over the realm in antiquity, as a Worthy ruler."

"He honored the positions of the officials who were loyal, upright, and upheld the laws, and made generous the salaries of those who were pure and scrupulous and loved people. He loved and respected those among the people who were filial and compassionate, and he comforted and encouraged those who exhausted their strength in agriculture and sericulture.

He tranquilized his heart and rectified the constraints [of social forms].' With laws and measures he prohibited evil and artifice.