The Books of Chow

Book XI: The Timber of the Tsze Tree

The timber of the tsze tree is metaphorically used in this address to Fung. The attention and skill the timber demands of the cabinetmaker is paralleled to the same for a leader of government. It is a small book, and is translated confusingly.

“The king says, ‘O Fung, to have a good understanding with the multitudes of his people, and his ministers on the one hand, and with the great families on the other; and again to have the same with all the subjects under his charge and with the sovereign: is the part of the prince of a State.

‘If you regularly in giving out your orders say, “My instructors whom I am to follow, my minister of Instruction, my minister of War, and my minister of Works; my Heads of departments, and all ye, my officers, I will on no account with oppressions put men to death.” Let the prince also set the example of respecting and encouraging the people, and these will proceed to respect and encourage them. Let him go on in dealing with those who have been traitors and villains, murderers and harbourers of criminals, to exercise pardon, and these, when they observe the prince’s conduct, will likewise pardon those who have assaulted others and injured their property. When sovereigns appointed inspectors, they did so in order to the government of the people, and said to them, “Do not give way to violence or oppression; and go on to show reverence for the weak, and find connexions for destitute women. Your protection of the people must proceed in this way to cherish them.” And when the sovereigns gave their injunctions to the princes of States, and their managers of affairs, what was the charge? It was that they should lead the people to the enjoyment of plenty and peace. Such was the way of the kings from of old. An inspector is to eschew the use of punishments.’

“He says moreover, ‘As in the management of a field, when the soil has all been laboriously turned up, they must proceed by orderly arrangement to make its boundaries and water-courses; as in building a house, after all the toil on its walls, they have to plaster and thatch it; as in working with the wood of the tsze, when the toil of the coarser and finer operations has been performed, they have to apply the paint of red and other colours.’”

“Now let your Majesty say, ‘The former kings diligently employed their illustrious virtue, and produced such attachment by their cherishing of the princes, that from all the States they brought offerings, and with brotherly affection they came from all quarters, and likewise showed their virtue illustrious.’ Do you, O sovereign, use their statues to attach the princes, and all the States will largely come with offerings.

“Great Heaven having given this Middle kingdom with its people and territories to the former kings, do you, our present sovereign, employ your virtue, effecting a gentle harmony among the deluded people, leading and urging them on; so also will you please the former kings, who received the appointment from Heaven.

“Yes! Make these things your study. I can but express my desire that for myriads of years your descendants may be ever the protectors of this people.”