Page 28 - 《孟子》(三)中·英对照版
P. 28
?孟
子
like a poor man who has nowhere to turn to. To be
delighted in by all the scholars of the kingdom, is
what men desire, but it was not sufficient to remove
the sorrow of Shun. The possession of beauty is
what men desire, and Shun had for his wives the
two daughters of the emperor, but this was not
sufficient to remove his sorrow. Riches are what
men desire, and the kingdom was the rich property
of Shun, but this was not sufficient to remove his
sorrow. Honours are what men desire, and Shun
had the dignity of being sovereign, but this was not
sufficient to remove his sorrow. The reason why the
being the object of men’s delight, with the possession
of beauty, riches, and honours were not sufficient
to remove his sorrow, was that it could be removed
only by his getting his parents to be in accord with
him. The desire of the child is towards his father
and mother. When he becomes conscious of the
attractions of beauty, his desire is towards young
6