Page 35 - 《孟子》（三）中·英对照版

万
章
上

and female should dwell together, is the greatest of
human relations. If Shun had informed his parents,
he must have made void this greatest of human
relations, thereby incurring their resentment. On
this account, he did not inform them!”

Wan Zhang said, “As to Shun’s marrying
without informing his parents, I have heard your
instructions; but how was it that the emperor Yao
gave him his daughters as wives without informing
Shun’s parents?”

Mencius said, “The emperor also knew that if
he informed them, he could not marry his daughters
to him.”

Wan Zhang said, “His parents set Shun to
repair a granary, to which, the ladder having been
removed, Gusou set fire. They also made him dig
a well. He got out, but they, not knowing that,
proceeded to cover him up. Xiang said, ‘Of the
scheme to cover up the city-forming prince, the

13