Page 179 - 《孟子》（三）中·英对照版
P. 179
告
子
上
indifferently to the east or west, but will it flow
indifferently up or down? The tendency of man’s
nature to good is like the tendency of water to flow
downwards. There are none but have this tendency
to good, just as all water flows downwards. Now by
striking water and causing it to leap up, you may
make it go over your forehead, and, by damming
and leading it you may force it up a hill; —but are
such movements according to the nature of water?
It is the force applied which causes them. When men
are made to do what is not good, their nature is dealt
with in this way.”
【注释】［1］湍水：激流。［2］信：确实。［3］
搏：拍击。［4］颡（s2ng）：额头。［5］激：
堵住水流，使水位提高。
【译文】告子说：“人性好比湍急的水流，在
东边开个口就往东流，在西边开个口就往西
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