A deity descended on the State of Guo's territory at Shen and remained for six months. The court diviner declared, "When a state is about to flourish it listens to the people; when it is about to perish it listens to the spirits." Guo was subsequently destroyed by Jin.
Account
A deity descended on the State of Guo's territory at Shen and remained for six months. Duke Guo dispatched his grand invocator, chief minister, and grand historian to sacrifice and petition the deity for land. The grand historian commented: "When a state is about to flourish, it listens to the people; when it is about to perish, it listens to the spirits." He judged that Guo's virtue was thin, that the spirit followed the person, and that Guo was doomed. Guo was subsequently destroyed by Jin.
Sources
- Zuo Zhuan, Duke Zhuang 32