佛祖歷代通載 9.68

9.68

The appraisal states: Wei, Duke of Zheng's assessment of Emperor Wu of Liang may truly be called the words of a benevolent man of the world. Moreover, the appraisal in the biography of Xiao Yu in the New History of Tang also states: 'The Xiao clan of Liang arose east of the Yangzi River; they truly had merit with the people. In their end there was no great wickedness, merely a gradual decline. Therefore, their lingering blessings reached their descendants.' Verifying it with Duke Zheng's assessment, this becomes increasingly evident. Yet Han Tuizhi once remarked that Emperor Wu of Liang starved to death in Taicheng. This was merely because he cast aside cravings and desires, abstained from food after midday, and did not slacken in his purification and precepts even unto death. In the eyes of those who indulge their desires in luxury and enjoyment, it seemed close to starving to death. It is just as when Confucius said that Bo Yi and Shu Qi starved to death on Mount Shouyang: his subtle intention was precisely to bring their virtue to fulfillment. How could it mean that he was deprived of food and starved to death? Regarding all matters of gain and loss, success and failure, words like those of Duke Zheng of Wei embody the purport of the Spring and Autumn Annals in holding the worthy to high standards; how could they not serve as the impartial judgment of ten thousand generations?