夫王者得賢材以自輔,然後治也。
Though a ruler may possess the enlightenment of Yao and Shun, if his four limbs are not in place, then his beneficent favor cannot go forth, and his transforming influence cannot be felt.
Therefore, when an enlightened ruler assumes the throne, he devotes much care to the selection of officers, he devotes himself to the quest for worthy people, and he establishes the Four Aides to assist him.52 50 Tang 湯: Cheng Tang 成湯, a leader of the Shang people.
有堯、舜之明,而股肱不備,則主恩不流,化澤不行。
He gained dynastic status for the Shang by overthrowing the Xia.
Yi Yin 伊尹 was Tang’s prime minister.
故明君在上,慎於擇士,務於求賢,設四佐以自輔。
“Yi” was his name; “Yin” was the name of his office.
According to one legend, he was originally a cook in the retinue of Tang’s consort and was later raised to the prime ministership by Tang.