Page 245 - 《孟子》(三)中·英对照版
P. 245

告
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                                                                                                            上

but this, that he determine by reflecting on himself
where it should be applied? Some parts of the body
are noble, and some ignoble; some great, and some
small. The great must not be injured for the small, nor
the noble for the ignoble. He who nourishes the little
belonging to him is a little man, and he who nourishes
the great is a great man. Here is a plantation keeper,
who neglects his wu and jia, and cultivates his sour
jujube-trees; —he is a poor plantation keeper. He who
nourishes one of his fingers, neglecting his shoulders
or his back, without knowing that he is doing so, is a
man who resembles a hurried wolf. A man who only
eats and drinks is counted mean by others; —because
he nourishes what is little to the neglect of what is
great. If a man, fond of his eating and drinking, were
not to neglect what is of more importance, how should
his mouth and belly be considered as no more than an
inch of skin?”

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