Master Mo Zi said: “Those who work in the world cannot do so without standards and rules. No-one has ever been able to accomplish anything without standards and rules. Even those officers who are generals and ministers all have standards. Even the hundred craftsmen in doing their work all have standards too. The hundred craftsmen make what is square with a square, make what is round with compasses, use a straight edge to establish what is straight, determine the horizontal with a water level, and the vertical with a plumb line. Whether skilled or unskilled, craftsmen all take these five things as standards. Skilled craftsmen are able to comply with these standards whilst unskilled craftsmen, even if they are unable to comply with them, will still surpass themselves if they follow them in their work. Thus the hundred craftsmen all have standards as a basis for their work. Nowadays, the greatest [achievement] is to bring order to the world and the next greatest is to bring order to a large country, but to attempt these things without reliance on standards is to compare unfavourably in wisdom with the hundred craftsmen.”
This being so, then what can be taken as a standard for bringing about order? Would it be fitting if everyone took their parents as the standard? There are many parents in the world, but few who are benevolent. If everyone took their parents as the standard, this would be a standard without benevolence. A standard without benevolence cannot be taken as a standard. Would it be fitting if everyone took their teacher as the standard? There are many teachers in the world, but few who are benevolent. If everyone took their teacher as the standard, this would be a standard without benevolence. A standard without benevolence cannot be taken as a standard. Would it be fitting if everyone took their ruler as a standard? There are many rulers in the world, but few who are benevolent. If everyone took their ruler as the standard, it would be a standard without benevolence. A standard without benevolence cannot be taken as a standard. Therefore all three — parents, teachers and rulers — cannot be taken as standards for bringing about order.
This being so, then what may be taken as a standard for bringing about order? It is said that there is no standard like Heaven. Heaven is broad and unselfish in its actions, and is generous in its
bestowing without considering itself virtuous. Its radiance is enduring and does not decay. Therefore, the sage kings took it as the standard. If Heaven is taken as the standard, then all one’s actions must be measured against Heaven. What Heaven desires should be done and what it does not desire should not be done. This being so, what does Heaven desire, what does Heaven abhor? Undoubtedly what Heaven desires is that there be mutual love and mutual benefit among people. What it does not desire is that there be mutual hatred and mutual harm among people. How do we know that Heaven desires mutual love and mutual benefit among people and does not desire mutual hatred and mutual harm among people? Because it is universal in loving them and universal in benefiting them. How do we know that Heaven is universal in loving them and universal in benefiting them? Because it is universal in possessing them and universal in feeding them.
-Mozi: Book 4: On Standards and Rules
How is it that Aristotle can be venerated as some sort of epitome of natural revelation when Mozi exists? This is probably the closest thing we can get to a New Testament ethic before the advent of Christ.