Yao（尧）wished to resign as the ruler of the empire in Hsu Yu’s（许由）favo，saying：“If，when the sun and moon have come forth，one insists in lighting the torches，would it not be difficult for them to give light？If，when the seasonal rains have come down，one still continues to water the ground，would this not be a waste of labor？Now，you，master，just stand before the throne，and the empire will be in peace；yet I still preside over it.I am conscious of my deficiency，and beg to give to you the empire.”