Page 344 - 《孟子》（三）中·英对照版

?孟
子

then they took office with him. Afterwards, although
there might be no remission in the polite demeanour
of the prince, if their words were not carried into
practice, they would leave him. The second case
was that in which, though the prince could not be
expected at once to carry their words into practice,
yet being received by him with the utmost respect,
they took office with him. But afterwards, if there
was a remission in his polite demeanour, they would
leave him. The last case was that of the superior man
who had nothing to eat, either morning or evening,
and was so famished that he could not move out of
his door. If the prince, on hearing of his state, said,
‘1 must fail in the great point, —that of carrying his
doctrines into practice, neither am I able to follow
his words, but I am ashamed to allow him to die of
want in my country;’ the assistance offered in such
a case might be received, but not beyond what was
sufficient to avert death.”

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