Page 285 - 《论语》(四)中·英对照版
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replied, “Let him honour the five excellent, and
banish away the four bad, things; — then may he
conduct government properly.” Tsze-chang said,
“What are meant by the five excellent things?”
The Master said, “When the person in authority is
beneficent without great expenditure; when he lays
tasks on the people without their repining; when
he pursues what he desires without being covetous;
when he maintains a dignified ease without being
proud; when he is majestic without being fierce.”
Tsze-chang said, “What is meant by being beneficent
without great expenditure?” The Master replied,
“When the person in authority makes more beneficial
to the people the things from which they naturally
derive benefit; — is not this being beneficent
without great expenditure? When he chooses the
labours which are proper, and makes them labour
on them, who will repine? When his desires are set
on benevolent government, and he secures it, who
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