The tyrant Chou invented the punishment of the fiery pit and the pillar. The Prince Pi-kan said, "If, when his master is outrageous, the minister does not remonstrate, he is not loyal. If from fear of death he does not speak, he is not brave. If he sees a fault, he objects, and if his objections go unheeded, he dies: this is the height of loyalty."
Whereupon he remonstrated for three days without leaving the court. Chou accordingly put him to death. The Ode says,
The terrors of Great Heaven are very excessive;
I shall take care to commit no offence.
纣作炮烙之刑。王子比干曰:“主暴不谏,非忠也;畏死不言,非勇也。见过即谏,不用即死,忠之至也。”遂谏,三日不去朝,纣囚杀之。《诗》曰:“昊天大怃,予慎无辜!”
Whereupon he remonstrated for three days without leaving the court. Chou accordingly put him to death. The Ode says,
The terrors of Great Heaven are very excessive;
I shall take care to commit no offence.
纣作炮烙之刑。王子比干曰:“主暴不谏,非忠也;畏死不言,非勇也。见过即谏,不用即死,忠之至也。”遂谏,三日不去朝,纣囚杀之。《诗》曰:“昊天大怃,予慎无辜!”
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