Page 150 - 《孟子》（二）中·英对照版
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?孟
子
plans of king Wen! Greatly were they carried out by
the energy of king Wu! They are for the assistance
and instruction of us who are of an after day. They
are all in principle correct, and deficient in nothing.’
“Again the world fell into decay, and principles
faded away. Perverse speakings and oppressive
deeds waxed rife again. There were instances of
ministers who murdered their sovereigns, and of
sons who murdered their fathers. Confucius was
afraid, and made the Spring and Autumn. What the
Spring and Autumn contains are matters proper to
the sovereign. On this account Confucius said, ‘Yes!
It is the Spring and Autumn which will make men
know me, and it is the Spring and Autumn which will
make men condemn me.’
“Once more, sage sovereigns cease to arise,
and the princes of the states give the reins to their
lusts. Unemployed scholars indulge in unreasonable
discussions. The words of Yang Zhu and Mo Di
128
