Page 179 - 《孟子》(一)中·英对照版
P. 179
梁
惠
王
下
shall I take that we may do so?”
Mencius replied, “Formerly, when king Tai
dwelt in Bin, the barbarians of the north were
constantly making incursions upon it. He served
them with skins and silks, and still he suffered
from them. He served them with dogs and horses,
and still he suffered from them. He served them
with pearls and gems, and still he suffered from
them. Seeing this, he assembled the old men, and
announced to them, saying, ‘What the barbarians
want is my territory. I have heard this—that a ruler
does not injure his people with that wherewith he
nourishes them. My children, why should you be
troubled about having no prince? I will leave this.’
Accordingly, he left Bin, crossed the mountain Liang,
built a town at the foot of mount Qi, and dwelt
there. The people of Pin said, ‘He is a benevolent
man. We must not lose him.’ Those who followed
him looked like crowds hastening to market. On the
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