Page 120 - 《孟子》（一）中·英对照版

?孟
子

of office, that is, they reported their administration
of their offices. Thus, neither of the proceedings
was without a purpose. And moreover, in the spring
they examined the ploughing, and supplied any
deficiency of seed; in the autumn they examined
the reaping, and supplied any deficiency of yield.
There is the saying of the Xia dynasty, —If our king
do not take his ramble, what will become of our
happiness? If our king do not make his excursion,
what will become of our help? That ramble, and
that excursion, were a pattern to the princes. Now,
the state of things is different. —A host marches in
attendance on the ruler, and stores of provisions are
consumed. The hungry are deprived of their food,
and there is no rest for those who are called to toil.
Maledictions are uttered by one to another with eyes
askance, and the people proceed to the commission
of wickedness. Thus the royal ordinances are
violated, and the people are oppressed, and the

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