Lun Yu – Les Entretiens de Confucius

Le Maître dit : « Quand le monde marche dans la Voie, le Fils du Ciel règle lui-même les rites, la musique, les expéditions militaires pour soumettre les feudataires désobéissants. Quand le monde est dévoyé, les vassaux règlent les rites, la musique, les expéditions militaires. Alors1 les familles des vassaux conservent rarement leur autorité au-delà de dix générations2. Lorsque les grands préfets s'emparent du pouvoir, ils le conservent rarement plus de cinq générations. Les intendants des princes ou des grands préfets, devenus à leur tour maîtres du pouvoir, le conservent rarement plus de trois générations. Quand le monde marche dans la Voie, la haute administration n'est pas entre les mains des grands préfets ; les particuliers ne sont pas admis à délibérer sur les affaires d'État. »

Couvreur XVI.2.

The supreme authority ought ever to maintain its power. The violation of this rule always leads to ruin, which is speedier as the rank of the violator is lower.
1. Confucius said, "When good government prevails in the empire, ceremonies, music, and punitive military expeditions proceed from the son of Heaven. When bad government prevails in the empire, ceremonies, music, and punitive military expeditions proceed from the princes. When these things proceed from the princes, as a rule, the cases will be few in which they do not lose their power in ten generations. When they proceed from the great officers of the princes, as a rule, the case will be few in which they do not lose their power in five generations. When the subsidiary ministers of the great officers hold in their grasp the orders of the state, as a rule the cases will be few in which they do not lose their power in three generations.
2. "When right principles prevail in the kingdom, government will not be in the hands of the great officers.
3. "When right principles prevail in the kingdom, there will be no discussions among the common people."

Legge XVI.2.

Confucius said, 'When the Way prevails in the Empire, the rites and music and punitive expeditions are initiated by the Emperor. When the Way does not prevail in the Empire, they are initiated by the feudal lords. When they are -initiated by the feudal lords, it is surprising if power does not pass from the Emperor within ten generations. When they are initiated by the Counsellors, it is surprising if power does -not pass from the feudal lords within five generations. When the prerogative to command in a state is in the hands of officials of the Counsellors it is surprising if power does not pass from the Counsellors within three generations. When the Way prevails in the Empire, policy does not rest with the Counsellors. When the Way prevails in the Empire, the Commoners do not express critical views.'

Lau [16:2]