Page 80 - 《孟子》（三）中·英对照版

?孟
子

in being informed, and they who first apprehend
principles should instruct those who are slower to
do so. I am one of Heaven’s people who have first
apprehended; I will take these principles and instruct
this people in them. If I do not instruct them, who
will do so?’ He thought that among all the people
of the kingdom, even the private men and women,
if there were any who did not enjoy such benefits
as Yao and Shun conferred, it was as if he himself
pushed them into a ditch. He took upon himself
the heavy charge of the kingdom in this way, and
therefore he went to Tang, and pressed upon him
the subject of attacking Xia and saving the people.
I have not heard of one who bent himself, and at
the same time made others straight;—how much
less could one disgrace himself,and thereby rectify
the whole kingdom? The actions of the sages have
been different. Some have kept remote from court,
and some have drawn near to it; some have left

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