Wen Tao: Recommended talents

King Wen asked Tai Gong:
"A ruler devotes himself to promoting the worthy, yet sees no real effect. Society grows increasingly chaotic, leading the state to peril. What is the reason for this?"

Tai Gong replied:
"To select the worthy but fail to employ them is to possess the empty name of promoting talent, while lacking its substance."

King Wen asked:
"Where lies the root of this error?"

Tai Gong answered:
"The error arises because the ruler favors those praised by the vulgar world. Thus, true worthies cannot be obtained."

King Wen asked:
"Why do you say this?"

Tai Gong said:
"If a ruler deems those lauded by the masses as 'worthy' and those slandered by them as 'unworthy,' then those with many factions will be elevated, while those with few will be cast aside. In this way, the wicked form cabals to obscure the worthy; loyal ministers, though guiltless, are condemned to death; and treacherous ministers seize titles through false reputations. Hence, chaos multiplies, and the state cannot escape ruin."

King Wen asked:
"How, then, should one promote the worthy?"

Tai Gong answered:
"Divide responsibilities between generals and ministers. Select the worthy based on the qualifications required for each office. Assess their performance against their duties. Examine the strengths of all candidates, ensuring their virtue and talent align with their positions, and their positions align with their virtue and talent. In this way, you grasp the principles and methods of promoting the worthy."