Lun Yu – The Analects of Confucius

The great principles governing society are unchangable.
1. Tsze-chang asked whether the affairs of ten ages after could be known.
2. Confucius said, "The Yin dynasty followed the regulations of the Hsiâ: wherein it took from or added to them may be known. The Châu dynasty has followed the regulations of Yin: wherein it took from or added to them may be known. Some other may follow the Châu, but though it should be at the distance of a hundred ages, its affairs may be known."

Legge II.23.

Tzu-chang asked, 'Can ten generations hence be known?''
The Master said, 'The Yin built on the rites of the Hsia. What was added and what was omitted can be known. The Chou built on the rites of the Yin. What was added and what was omitted can be known. Should there be a successor to the Chou, even a hundred generations hence can be known.'

Lau [2:23]

Tzeu tchang demanda si l'on pouvait savoir d'avance ce que feraient les empereurs de dix dynasties successives. Le Maître répondit : « La dynastie des [Chang-]In a adopté les rites de la dynastie des Hia ; on peut connaître par les documents ce qu'elle a ajouté ou retranché. La dynastie des Tcheou a adopté les rites de la dynastie des [Chang-]In ; ce qu'elle a ajouté ou retranché se trouve mentionné dans les documents. On peut savoir d'avance ce que feront les dynasties à venir, fussent-elles au nombre de cent. »

Couvreur II.23.