Page 155 - 《孟子》（三）中·英对照版

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information,” said Mencius, “such a person is a
teacher, and the sovereign would not call him; —
how much less may any of the princes do so? If
because of his talents and virtue, then I have not
heard of any one wishing to see a person with
those qualities, and calling him to his presence.
During the frequent interviews of the duke Mu
with Zisi, he one day said to him, ‘Anciently, princes
of a thousand chariots have yet been on terms of
friendship with scholars; —what do you think of
such an intercourse?’ Zisi was displeased, and said,
‘The ancients have said, The scholar should be
served: how should they have merely said that he
should be made a friend of?’ When Zisi was thus
displeased, did he not say within himself, With
regard to our stations, you are sovereign, and I
am subject. How can I presume to be on terms of
friendship with my sovereign! With regard to our
virtue, you ought to make me your master. How

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