Page 199 - 《孟子》（一）中·英对照版

公
孙
丑
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not exceed a thousand li, and Qi embraces so much
territory. Cocks crow and dogs bark to one another,
all the way to the four borders of the State—so Qi
possesses the people. No change is needed for the
enlarging of its territory; no change is needed for
the collecting of a population. If its ruler will put in
practice a benevolent government, no power will be
able to prevent his becoming sovereign. Moreover,
never was there a time farther removed than the
present from the rise of a true sovereign: never was
there a time when the sufferings of the people from
tyrannical government were more intense than the
present. The hungry readily partake of any food,
and the thirsty of any drink. Confucius said, ‘The
flowing progress of virtue is more rapid than the
transmission of royal orders by stages and couriers.’
At the present time, in a country of ten thousand
chariots, let benevolent government be put in
practice, and the people will be delighted with it,

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