Page 129 - 《孟子》（三）中·英对照版

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would have received it.”
Wan Zhang said, “Here now is one who stops

and robs people outside the gates of the city. He
offers his gift on a ground of reason, and does so
in a manner according to propriety; —would the
reception of it so acquired by robbery be proper?”

Mencius replied, “It would not be proper. In
the Announcement to Kang it is said, ‘When men
kill others, and roll over their bodies to take their
property, being reckless and fearless of death, among
all the people there are none but detest them.’—
Thus, such characters are to be put to death, without
waiting to give them warning. Yin received this rule
from Xia and Zhou received it from Yin. It cannot
be questioned, and to the present day is clearly
acknowledged. How can the gift of a robber be
received?”

Wan Zhang said, “The princes of the present
day take from their people just as a robber despoils

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