Sima Shuli
The Master said, “The king’s words are like silk, and the output is like a line; the king’s words are like a line, and the output is like a thread. Therefore, the great man does not advocate idle talk. It can be said, but not carried out. A gentleman does not speak; if it is possible to do something, but it is not possible to say it, a gentleman does not do it. Then the people's words will not endanger their actions, and their actions will not endanger their words. The Book of Songs says: "Be prudent and cautious in your behavior, and do not violate etiquette. '" Confucius said: "A gentleman guides people with words and restrains people with actions. Therefore, when speaking, one must consider the end, and when doing things, one must examine the consequences; then the people will be cautious in their words and cautious in their actions. The Book of Songs says: "Be cautious in your words, and respect your dignity. 'The Great Ode says: "The King Wen was solemn and respectful in his behavior. '" Confucius said: "The one who governs the people should not wear two different clothes, and should be calm and regular, so as to unify his people, and then the people's morality will be unified. The Book of Songs says: "Those people in the capital have yellow fox furs, their appearance does not change, their words are orderly, and their actions are Zhou, which is what all the people look forward to. '" Confucius said: "If you can be seen by the superiors and understood, and can be explained and understood by the subordinates, then the ruler will not doubt his ministers, and the ministers will not be confused by their rulers. Yin Ji said: ‘Only Yin Gong and
