Again the world fell into decay, and principles faded away. Perverse speakings and oppressive deeds waxed rife again. There were instances of ministers who murdered their sovereigns, and of sons who murdered their fathers. It is the Spring and Autumn which will make men know me, and it is the Spring and Autumn which will make men condemn me. Once more, sage sovereigns cease to arise, and the princes of the States give the reins to their lusts.
Unemployed scholars indulge in unreasonable discussions.
But to acknowledge neither king nor father is to be in the state of a beast. In their stables, there are fat horses. But their people have the look of hunger, and on the wilds there are those who have died of famine. This is leading on beasts to devour men. If the principles of Yang and Mo be not stopped, and the principles of Confucius not set forth, then those perverse speakings will delude the people, and stop up the path of benevolence and righteousness.