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「天之生斯民也，使先知覺後知，使先覺覺後覺。予，天民之先覺者也，予將以此道覺此民也。」這是伊尹。
在《詩經》〈商頌〉裡說到：「實維阿衡，左右商王。」「阿衡」指的是商湯王的賢相伊尹。為什麼這麼叫他？當初伊尹在暴君夏桀王治下做官時，很多人為他感到不值：「算了吧！你果真是為了那一點俸祿嗎？暴君頑民，你又能舒展什麼抱負？還不如潔身隱退山林去！」可是伊尹卻慷慨陳言：「哪一個國君是不堪事奉的呢？又哪一種人民是不可使令的呢？天生萬民，原就是要使先明白事理的去覺悟那些不明白的，使先覺悟大道的去覺悟那些未覺悟的。我呢，正是天生萬民中一個先覺悟的，我將要用這種道理去覺悟這些人民啊！」他還是早出晚歸，認真地做好自己所能做的。即令如此，讒臣的破壞，還是讓他丟了官，他便躬耕於有莘氏的郊野以等待時機。湯王聽說了他的賢能，一而再、再而三地親自送厚禮聘請，他觀察湯王的心很誠，人也賢，於是出山輔佐，討伐暴桀；不但建立了大商王朝，也令百姓安和樂利。湯王時時慨嘆著：「伊尹的足智多謀與善勸強諫，既是舉國所阿倚的大柱，更是平衡我過失的天秤！」於是尊稱他為「阿衡」。
到了湯的長孫太甲在位時，因荒廢國事，伊尹不顧譏評和苛責，硬是把新君放逐到湯王墳旁的別宮去閉門思過，代攝朝政三年之久，等到太甲悔過自責，誓修祖德時，才把他迎回。至此眾議皆息，天下歸心。伊尹以他的忠心負責，歷相四代五君，維持了近百年的安定，真是個以天下為己任的聖者啊！
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"The reason Heaven has brought forth this multitude of people is to have those who understand first enlighten those who understand later, and to have those who become enlightened first enlighten those who become enlightened later. I am one who has become enlightened first among the multitude. By means of this Way, I shall enlighten these people." The person who said this was Yi Yin.
In the "Shang Odes" of the Book of Odes, it says, "Indeed, the pillar of state assists the Emperor of Shang." The "pillar of state" refers to the able minister of Emperor Tang of the Shang Dynasty, Yi Yin. Why was he called a pillar of state? When Yi Yin was still a courtier under the tyrant Emperor Jie of the Xia Dynasty, many people felt that it was not worth his while. They said, "Why don't you forget it? Are you really doing it for the sake of the petty pay? What ambition do you expect to achieve with a tyrant and his dull populace? It would be better for you to retreat to the deep mountains and woods and thus maintain your integrity." However, Yi Yin proclaimed vehemently, "Is there an emperor who is not worth serving? Is there a populace that cannot be governed? Heaven brings forth the multitude of people for those who first understand the facts and principles to teach and enlighten those who have not understood, and for those who first awaken to the truth to enlighten those who have yet awakened. Among the multitudes, I am one who has awakened first. Now I want to use this principle to enlighten these people!" So he still went to work early and returned late, earnestly doing whatever he was able to do. Even so, the slander from other vassals cost him his position. Thereupon he went to till and plant the fields in the rural area of Youxin and to bide his time. Emperor Tang, hearing of his virtue and ability, visited him repeatedly in person, bringing expensive presents and requesting his help. Seeing Emperor Tang's sincerity and worthiness, he came out of seclusion to assist the Emperor in attacking the tyrant Jie. As a result, not only was the great Shang Dynasty established, but the populace was able to live a peaceful, harmonious, and happy life. Emperor Tang often sighed and said, "Yi Yin is wise and full of stratagems, and skillful in exhortation and admonition. He is not only the pillar upon which the nation relies, but also the scale that balances out my errors!" Thus Yi Yin was respectfully named "Pillar of State" [literally "pillar and balance"].
When Emperor Tang's eldest grandson, Taijia, succeeded the throne, he neglected the national affairs. Ignoring all criticism and castigation, Yi Yin exiled the new emperor to a resort palace next to Emperor Tang's grave to reflect on his own faults. Yi Yin then took charge of the imperial court for three years until Taijia repented and vowed to re-establish his ancestors' virtue. He was then brought back to the imperial palace. At that time, all criticism died down and Yi Yin won the heart of the nation. With his loyalty, Yi Yin assisted five emperors through four generations and maintained the nation's peace for nearly one hundred years. He was truly a sage who took the nation as his own responsibility.
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