弘明集 10.57

10.57

辱告惠示。勅答臣下審神滅論。夫昊蒼玄默本絕言議。性與天道固亦難聞。而愛育之仁依方感動。開誘之教㳂事降設。矜局蛙於井谷。哀危蟪於寸陰。思發神衷言微理鏡。引據前經文約旨遠。凝神寂翳一理能貫。墳典紛綸。一言以蔽。顯列聖之潛旨。決終古之滯惑。存滅由斯而曉。孝敬因茲而隆。信足以警誡重昏。儀範百代。所謂聖謨洋洋嘉言孔彰者也。弟子既慚辨理彌懵知音遂得。預聞道訓頒覿妙藻。式抃下陳永垂聖則。弟子王揖和南。

Graced by your notice and favored by your bestowal of the imperial response answering the ministers' examination of the Treatise on the Extinction of the Spirit: indeed, the Vast Heaven is mysterious and silent, originally cutting off speech and discussion; human nature and the Dao of Heaven are inherently difficult to hear. Yet benevolence that loves and nurtures is stimulated according to conditions; teachings that guide and induce are handed down in accordance with matters. Pitying the restricted frogs in the valley well, sorrowing over the endangered cicadas in their brief inches of time, his thought springs from the spiritual heart, and his words are subtle in the mirror of principle. Adducing and relying on the former classics, the text is concise and the intent is profound; concentrating the spirit in quiescent concealment, a single principle can thread them all. The ancient records are manifold, but a single word can cover them. He manifests the hidden intents of the ranks of sages and resolves the stagnant delusions of all antiquity. Survival and extinction are understood from this, and filial respect flourishes because of this. Truly it suffices to warn the double darkness and serve as a model for a hundred generations; this is what is called 'Sagely designs are vast and great, fine words are abundantly illustrious.' Your disciple is both ashamed of discerning principle and even more ignorant of discerning sounds, yet I was able to participate in hearing the instruction of the Dao and behold the wondrous literary composition. Leaping with joy in the lower ranks, may it forever bequeath the sagely standard. Your disciple Wang Yi pays homage.