Page 96 - 《孟子》（一）中·英对照版

?孟
子

—to enjoy music by yourself alone, or to enjoy it
with others?”

“To enjoy it with others,” was the reply.
“And which is the more pleasant—to enjoy
music with a few, or to enjoy it with many?”
“To enjoy it with many.”
Mencius proceeded, “Your servant begs to
explain what I have said about music to Your
Majesty. Now, Your Majesty is having music here.
The people hear the noise of your bells and drums,
and the notes of your fifes and pipes, and they all,
with aching heads, knit their brows, and say to one
another, ‘That’s how our king likes his music! But
why does he reduce us to this extremity of distress?
Fathers and sons cannot see one another. Elder
brothers and younger brothers, wives and children,
are separated and scattered abroad.’ Now, Your
Majesty is hunting here. The people hear the noise
of your carriages and horses, and see the beauty of

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