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Again, there are sagacious leaders among the people and influential personalities throughout the country, who constitute the pillars of state. Their rank and station and success depend on their being the well-wishers of the people and in their seeking out such means as will improve the nation and will increase the wealth and comfort of the citizens.
Observe the case when an individual is an eminent
person in his country, zealous, wise, pure-hearted,
known for his innate capacity, intelligence, natural
perspicacity--and is also an important member of the
state: what, for such an individual, can be regarded as
honor, abiding happiness, rank and station, whether in
the here or the hereafter? Is it a diligent attention to
truth and righteousness, is it dedication and resolve
and devotion to the good pleasure of God, is it the desire
to attract the favorable consideration of the ruler
and to merit the approval of the people? Or would it,
rather, consist in this, that for the sake of indulging in
feasts and dissipations by night he should undermine
his country and break the hearts of his people by day,
causing his God to reject him, and his sovereign to cast