Sacred-Texts Taoism Index Previous Next YANG CHU said: "The
world praises Shun-Yu, Duke Chow, and Confucius, and condemns
Chieh and Chow. Now Shun had to plough in Ho-yang and to burn
tiles in Lei-tse. His four limbs had no p. 55 rest, and rich
food and warm clothing were unknown to him. "His parents and his
kinsfolk did not love him, and his brothers and sisters did not
bear him affection. "In his thirtieth year he was obliged to
marry without telling his parents. "When he received the empire
from Yao he was already an old man and his mental powers were
declining. His son Shang-Chun having no talents, he left the
imperial dignity to Yü. Still he had to toil and slave till he
died. "Of all mortals he was the most pitiable and miserable.
"Kun's services in regulating the water and earthworks being
impracticable, he was put to death on Mount Yu Shan. "Yü, his
son, continued his task, served his enemy, and spent all his
energy on the earthworks. When a son was born to him he could
not take him in his arms, nor i