Way of Taking Commissions
The Way of Taking Commissions (Shinasthana: 為吏之道, gwryal-reqs-te-mluq) is a short essay written some time around the middle of the 3rd century that describes the politics of the Tsins state. The unnamed author stresses the nature of political office or "commissions" and the various things that are common to all offices or expected in specific offices. The essay has been compared to a constitutional document as it describes in very personal and non-theoretical terms how the monarchy and state were organized. It is unclear why the text was written; possibly it is an extract or draft of an epistle from a person who was familiar with officialdom to a friend of family member new to it. Outside of a short introduction, the text is divided into four chapters titled "Sovereign", "Office", "Other Offices", and "Mannerisms".
Sovereign
尹厥室廣若室之深之幽 毋謂雙目二手即常人 尹弗能親政諸室以躬 故命吏＝以為目口手止 以為肱股腹背 為吏者 當智尹室若自室 可謂智尹 未智尹也 不可從吏尹
The household of the ruler is broad as it is deep and dark. Do not say the ruler, who has a pair of eyes and two arms like ordinary persons, cannot by his proper person approach every task of his household. Thus, officials are commissioned, who are his eyes, mouth, hand, and foot; to be his arms, legs, front, and back. Those who presume to take commissions should know the ruler's household as their own households, and in that way they can be seen as knowing their sovereign. Those who do not know their sovereign cannot discharge their sovereign's commission.
譬若智水之紀 而可為梁 智尹室所起終 可吏于尹室 弗智水之紀 為梁 墮于水 弗智尹室所起終 為吏而入出金物 當歸在尹室而弗歸曰盜 弗當歸而歸曰暴 尹智也 眔于罰形 弗智也 猶患于民 意將弗聽于患
As one must know the two banks of the river and then one is able to construct a bridge, one must know the beginning and end of the sovereign's household to be able to serve it. If one know not the banks of the river and construct a bridge, one must fall into the river. If one does not know the beginning and end of the sovereign's household and serves it, those things which are the sovereign's and are not given to the sovereign are called embezzlement, and those things which are not the sovereign's and are instead given to the sovereign are called crimes. If the sovereign is aware, [you will] be reproached; [even if] the sovereign is not aware, these are wrongs to his subjects. Look, how will you have their co-operation if you wrong them?
譬若介田所起終 以察封 石 木 山 逕 敯尹室所起終 御在令與故事也
As one would gauge the beginning and end of a field, one does so by observing the raised earthworks, trees, hills, and footpaths. As one would learn the beginning and end of the sovereign's household, one confides in his commands and the former acts.
當智吏于尹者手 人弗為 手曷為 尹弗為 毋逕為
You ought to know an official is the assistant of the sovereign. If a person does not, what else would the arm do? What the sovereign does not, do not presume to do by yourself. [Note: the word "arm" is homophonous with "assistant" and possibly from the same lexical source.]