Wen Tao: The Six Guardians

King Wen asked Tai Gong:
"Why do rulers who govern states and manage the people lose their nations and their subjects?"

Tai Gong replied:
"It is due to negligence in selecting talent. A ruler must uphold the Six Guardians and safeguard the Three Treasures."

King Wen asked:
"What are the Six Guardians?"

Tai Gong answered:
"First, benevolence; second, righteousness; third, loyalty; fourth, trustworthiness; fifth, courage; sixth, wisdom. These are the Six Guardians."

King Wen asked:
"How can one discern those who embody these Six Guardians?"

Tai Gong said:
"Enrich him to test whether he resists excess; elevate him to test whether he resists arrogance; burden him with responsibility to test his resolve; assign him tasks to test his honesty; place him in danger to test his fearlessness; confront him with crises to test his adaptability.

• One who remains modest amid wealth practices benevolence.

• One who stays humble in high position embodies righteousness.

• One who fulfills heavy duties unwaveringly shows loyalty.

• One who handles affairs without deceit demonstrates trustworthiness.

• One who faces peril without fear possesses courage.

• One who navigates crises with ease wields wisdom.
  A ruler must never relinquish the Three Treasures to others, lest he lose his authority."

King Wen asked:
"What are the Three Treasures?"

Tai Gong replied:
"Agriculture, Industry, and Commerce—these are the Three Treasures. Organize farmers into communities, and grain will abound; unite artisans into collectives, and tools will suffice; gather merchants into guilds, and wealth will flourish. When these three thrive in harmony, the people will not rebel. Do not disrupt their structures or dissolve their clans. Ensure no subject’s wealth rivals the ruler’s, and no city outshines the capital. Employ those who uphold the Six Guardians, and your reign will prosper; perfect the Three Treasures, and your state will endure."