Page 178 - 《孟子》（三）中·英对照版
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?孟
子
11.2
告子曰：“性犹湍水［1］也，决诸东方则
东流，决诸西方则西流。人性之无分于善不
善也，犹水之无分于东西也。”
孟子曰：“水信［2］无分于东西，无分于
上下乎？人性之善也，犹水之就下也。人无
有不善，水无有不下。今夫水，搏［3］而跃之，
可 使 过 颡［4］； 激［5］ 而 行 之， 可 使 在 山。 是
岂水之性哉？其势则然也。人之可使为不善，
其性亦犹是也。”
The philosopher Gao said, “Man’s nature is like
water whirling round in a corner. Open a passage
for it to the east, and it will flow to the east; open a
passage for it to the west, and it will flow to the west.
Man’s nature is indifferent to good and evil, just as
the water is indifferent to the east and west.”
Mencius replied, “Water indeed will flow
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