Thereby the people's labors were combined and hey gained equitable benefits from it. To achieve these ends, six policies were at that ancient time formulated. At that time there was also consideration for the practical aspects of governance and society. The methods to achieve good government are first to banish the four afflictions, then to uphold the five administrative tasks. The first of the former is falsity, the second is selfishness, the third is self-indulgence, and the fourth is extravagance.
Falsity throws the people's customs into disorder.
Selfishness wreaks damage on the laws. Self-indulgence leads to transgressing the proprieties. These are called the four afflictions. I find it pertinent to our thoughts, discussions, and planning to seek out in history examples of thought and practice, which provided for the improvement of the people and of society. In those ancient times there was a practical need to solve problems, to improve the life of the people, to promote social and environmental welfare.