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[The Book of Zhou: The Great Oath, Part I]\n\nIn the 11th year, King Wu attacked Yin. In the first month, on the day Wuwu, the army crossed at Mengjin, and he made the Great Oath in three parts. The Great Oath:\nOn the 13th year (B.C. 1121,) in the spring, there was a great assembly (of the barons) at Mengjin.\nWhen the king said, Oh! my friendly states, and high captains! it has fallen to me to manage these affairs, do all of you warriors, therefore, attentively listen to this my oath. Heaven and earth are the parents of all things. People are the most intelligent part of sublunary things; the most truly intellectual of people become chief rulers, and the chief ruler is the parent of the people.\nNow Shou, the ruler of Shang, has been disrespectful towards high Heaven, and thus brought down calamities upon these lower people. Immersed in wine, and disordered by lust, he dared to practice tyranny and oppression; offenders were made to involve their relatives, and offices were rendered hereditary in families, while he only thought of palaces and buildings, terraces and groves, dikes and pools, with extravagant apparel, to the injury and ruin of you all people. At the same time he burned and roasted the faithful and honest, flaying and ripping open pregnant women; so that high Heaven became incensed, and ordered my accomplished predecessor (Wen-wang) reverently to sustain the celestial dignity; but while his great merit was still incomplete, (he died.) Therefore I, the insignificant one, by the reverting to me of you friendly estates and high captains, have shewn the tendency of his government over the Shang dynasty; Shou (the tyrant) has not the slightest disposition to reform; but on the contrary he sits on his heels, and refuses to serve the Supreme Ruler, with the celestial and terrestrial gods; neglecting the temple of his ancestors without sacrificing to them; while the sacrificial oil and meat-offerings are given over to be consumed by ruffians and robbers; at the same time he exclaims, 'I have the people, and the decree is with me,' and all without reproving his insolence.\nHeaven out of compassion to the inferior people has appointed over them princes, and given them instructors, that they may be able to assist the Supreme in cherishing and tranquillizing the four quarters (of the world). Thus with regard to the guilty or the innocent, how dare we transgress his will! When the strength (of contending parties) is equal, let us measure each other's virtue; should virtue be equal let us estimate the justice (of our respective claims.) Shou, (the tyrant) has thousands and millions of servants, and thousands and millions of minds. I have only three thousand followers, but they are all of one mind. Shang's crimes are pervading and overflowing, so that Heaven has given command to destroy him; if I do not obey (the will of) Heaven, my guilt will be equal to his.\nI, the insignificant one, day and night tremble with apprehension; having received the decree from my accomplished predecessor, I have sacrificed to the Supreme Ruler and made offerings to the gods of the land and grain; and now with you multitudes, I will carry out the inflictions of Heaven. When Heaven shows compassion towards the people, which the people desire heaven will grant it to them; do you therefore assist me, a single individual, lastingly cleanse (all within) the four seas; this is now the time, and the opportunity must not be lost.