是故絕江海者託於船，致遠道者託於乘，欲霸王者託於賢。
伊尹、呂尚、管夷吾、百里奚，此霸王之船乘也。
釋父兄與子孫，非疏之也；任庖人、釣屠與仇讎、僕虜，非阿之也；持社稷、立功名之道，不得不然也。
猶大匠之為宮室也，量小大而知材木矣，比功校而知人數矣。
是故呂尚聘，而天下知商將亡而周之王也；管夷吾、百里奚任，而天下知齊、秦之必霸也，豈特船乘哉！
A passage in the Changes says, “When those above act modestly toward those below, their prospects will be greatly bright,” and another passage says, “When those whose rank is high deal modestly with those whose rank is low, they will gain the heartfelt allegiance of the people.