釋鑑稽古略續集 2.57

2.57

甘露論　十一月甘露降於員丘青松之上。懸垂上下有若明珠。採而食之甘如餳糖。儒臣獻歌詩頌德。上曰。人之常情好祥惡妖。然天道幽微莫惻。若恃祥而不戒。祥未必皆吉。覩妖而能懲。妖未必皆凶。蓋聞災而懼。或蒙見休。見瑞而喜。或以致咎。何則凡人懼則戒。心常存喜則侈心易縱。朕德不逮。惟圖修省之不暇。豈敢以此為己所致哉。因著甘露論以示群臣。

Treatise on Sweet Dew: In the eleventh month, sweet dew descended upon the green pines of the Circular Mound, hanging high and low like bright pearls. When gathered and tasted, it was sweet as maltose syrup. The Confucian ministers presented songs and poems praising his virtue. The Emperor said: 'It is common human nature to love omens of good fortune and loathe portents of disaster. Yet the Heavenly Way is profound and subtle, impossible to fathom. If one relies on good omens without caution, good omens will not necessarily all be auspicious. If one sees portents and is able to take warning, portents will not necessarily all be calamitous. For upon hearing of a calamity, if one feels dread, one may receive blessings; upon seeing an auspicious sign, if one rejoices, it may bring about blame. Why is this? In general, when people feel dread, caution is ever preserved in their minds; when they feel joy, an extravagant mind easily runs loose. My virtue does not measure up, and I have scarcely enough time even to cultivate and examine myself. How could I dare consider this to have been brought about by myself?' He thereupon wrote the 'Treatise on Sweet Dew' to show to the assembled ministers.