Page 281 - 《孟子》（三）中·英对照版

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scholar Gao, saying, “Gao observed, ‘The Xiao Pan
is the ode of a little man.’ ”

Mencius asked, “Why did he say so?”
“Because of the murmuring which it expresses,”
was the reply.
Mencius answered, “How stupid was that old
Gao in dealing with the ode! There is a man here,
and a native of Yue bends his bow to shoot him. I
will advise him not to do so, but speaking calmly
and smilingly; —for no other reason but that he is
not related to me. But if my own brother be bending
his bow to shoot the man, then I will advise him
not to do so, weeping and crying the while; —for
no other reason than that he is related to me. The
dissatisfaction expressed in the Xiao Pan is the
working of relative affection, and that affection
shows benevolence. Stupid indeed was old Gao’s
criticism on the ode.”
Chou then said, “How is it that there is no

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