THE INFLUENCE AND FRUIT OF FILIAL PIETY
The good Emperors of old were not only filial to their parents, but
also to the Supreme Father and Mother—that is, Heaven and the Earth.
When an Emperor can live in harmony with his elders, there will be
harmony throughout his dominion between superiors and inferiors; and
when he is filial to the Supreme Father and Mother, he will be blessed
by them.
Although the Emperor is the highest of all ranks, yet he still has some
one to respect. He has his father and elder brothers.
Why do we offer sacrifices to our ancestors in our family shrine?
Because we ought not to forget them. Why must we cultivate our minds
and be circumspect in our actions? Because we do not wish to bring
disgrace upon the name of our ancestors. If we can show respect to them
when we offer them sacrifices in our family shrine, we shall be blessed
by the Supreme Father and Mother. Filiality to parents and reverence to
elders will be known to the Supreme Being, and will be followed by the
people in every part of the world; no place can remain unaffected by
their influence. In the _Shih Ching_ it is said that “from east to west
and from north to south there is no one who does not submit to rule.”