Page 59 - 《孟子》（三）中·英对照版
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Mencius replied, “No. Heaven does not speak.
It simply showed its will by his personal conduct and
his conduct of affairs.”
Wan Zhang, “ ‘It showed its will by his personal
conduct and his conduct of affairs’ —how was this?”
Mencius’s answer was, “The sovereign can
present a man to Heaven, but he cannot make
Heaven give that man the throne. A prince can
present a man to the sovereign, but he cannot cause
the sovereign to make that man a prince. A great
officer can present a man to his prince, but he
cannot cause the prince to make that man a great
officer. Yao presented Shun to Heaven, and Heaven
accepted him. He presented him to the people, and
the people accepted him. Therefore I say, ‘Heaven
does not speak. It simply indicated its will by his
personal conduct and his conduct of affairs.’ ”
Wan Zhang said, “I presume to ask how it was
that Yao presented Shun to Heaven, and Heaven
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