The Record of Trades, Rites of Zhou?

If one has duties but the resources to sustain and nourish the people are lacking, then it is difficult for governance and education to be practiced on a grand scale. Each character in this line is accompanied by a small emphasis circle on its right side, indicating the importance of this foundational statement: material prosperity is the prerequisite for a moral and orderly society.

Those who sit and discuss the Way are called the Princes and Dukes. Those who arise and act upon it are called the Scholar-officials. Those who examine the curves and evaluate the surfacesoriginal: "shen qu mian shi" (審曲面埶). This is a technical phrase describing the artisan’s skill in observing the natural shape and potential of raw materials before crafting them. in order to distinguish the five materials and provide the various implements used by the people are called the Various Artisans. Those who circulate the rare and precious treasures from the four quarters to provide resources are called the Traveling Merchants. Those who exert their strength to grow the products of the earth are called the Farmers. Those who process silk and hemp to complete the work are called the Women’s Work.

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The commentator Identified by the prefix "Zhui" (贅), likely a humble pen name for the scholar providing this analysis. observes: I note that among the five ranks of nobility, the burial rites are all referred to as "Duke." In the Ritual of the State Banquet for Scholar-officials, the affairs of an entire state are determined by the Ruler. Therefore, the commentary identifies "Princes and Dukes" with the feudal lords. The reason the text does not explicitly mention the Three DukesThe "Three Dukes" (San Gong) were the highest-ranking advisors to the Emperor, typically the Grand Tutor, Grand Preceptor, and Grand Guardian. is because the Three Dukes discuss the Way and manage the kingdom to assist the King; thus, they are already included among those who "sit and discuss the Way."