Page 72 - 《孟子》(一)中·英对照版
P. 72

?孟
 子

his wife and children. The way in which the ancients
came greatly to surpass other men, was no other but
this—simply that they knew well how to carry out,
so as to affect others, what they themselves did. Now
your kindness is sufficient to reach to animals, and
no benefits are extended from it to reach the people.
How is this? Is an exception to be made here? By
weighing, we know what things are light, and what
heavy. By measuring, we know what things are long,
and what short. The relations of all things may be
thus determined, and it is of the greatest importance
to estimate the motions of the mind. I beg Your
Majesty to measure it. You collect your equipments
of war, endanger your soldiers and officers, and
excite the resentment of the other princes—do these
things cause you pleasure in your mind?”

      The king replied, “No. How should I derive
pleasure from these things? My object in them is to
seek for what I greatly desire.”

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