Page 60 - 《孟子》(三)中·英对照版
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accepted him; and that he exhibited him to the
people, and the people accepted him.”
Mencius replied, “He caused him to preside
over the sacrifices, and all the spirits were well
pleased with them; —thus Heaven accepted him. He
caused him to preside over the conduct of affairs,
and affairs were well administered, so that the people
reposed under him; —thus the people accepted him.
Heaven gave the throne to him. The people gave
it to him. Therefore I said, ‘The sovereign cannot
give the throne to another.’ Shun assisted Yao in
the government for twenty and eight years; —this
was more than man could have done, and was from
Heaven. After the death of Yao, when the three
years’ mourning was completed, Shun withdrew
from the son of Yao to the south of South River. The
princes of the kingdom, however, repairing to court,
went not to the son of Yao, but they went to Shun.
Litigants went not to the son of Yao, but they went
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