Page 50 - 《孟子》（一）中·英对照版
P. 50
?孟
子
east we have been defeated by Qi, and then my
eldest son perished; on the west we have lost seven
hundred li of territory to Qin; and on the south we
have sustained disgrace at the hands of Chu. I have
brought shame on my departed predecessors, and
wish on their account to wipe it away, once for all.
What course is to be pursued to accomplish this?”
Mencius replied, “With a territory which is
only a hundred li square, it is possible to attain to the
royal dignity. If Your Majesty will indeed dispense a
benevolent government to the people, being sparing
in the use of punishments and fines, and making
the taxes and levies light, so causing that the fields
shall be ploughed deep, and the weeding of them be
carefully attended to, and that the strong-bodied,
during their days of leisure, shall cultivate their
filial piety, fraternal respectfulness, sincerity, and
truthfulness, serving thereby, at home, their fathers
and elder brothers, and, abroad, their elders and
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