He revived states that had been extinguished, restored families whose line of succession had been broken,

兴灭国，继绝世，

and called to office those who had retired into obscurity,

举逸民，

so that throughout the kingdom the hearts of the people turned towards him.

天下之民归心焉。

What he attached chief importance to were the food of the people, the duties of mourning, and sacrifices.

所重：民、食、丧、祭。

By his generosity, he won all. By his sincerity, he made the people repose trust in him.

宽则得众。信则民任焉。

By his earnest activity, his achievements were great.

敏则有功。

By his justice, all were delighted. Tsze-chang asked Confucius, saying,

公则说。子张问于孔子曰：

"In what way should a person in authority act in order that he may conduct government properly?"

“何如斯可以从政矣？”

The Master replied, "Let him honor the five excellent, and banish away the four bad, things,

子曰：“尊五美，屏四恶，

then may he conduct government properly." Tsze-chang said, "What are meant by the five excellent things?"

斯可以从政矣。”子张曰：“何谓五美？”

The Master said, "When the person in authority is beneficent without great expenditure;

子曰：“君子惠而不费，

when he lays tasks on the people without their repining; when he pursues what he desires without being covetous;

劳而不怨，欲而不贪，

when he maintains a dignified ease without being proud; when he is majestic without being fierce."

泰而不骄，威而不猛。”