Page 175 - 《孟子》（二）中·英对照版

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exterior and interior walls being incomplete, and the
supply of weapons offensive and defensive not being
large, which constitutes the calamity of a kingdom.
It is not the cultivable area not being extended, and
stores and wealth not being accumulated, which
occasions the ruin of a state.’ When superiors do
not observe the rules of propriety, and inferiors do
not learn, then seditious people spring up, and that
state will perish in no time. It is said in the Book of
Poetry, ‘When such an overthrow of Zhou is being
produced by Heaven, be not ye so much at your
ease!’ ‘At your ease;’ —that is, dilatory. And so
dilatory may those officers be deemed, who serve
their prince without righteousness, who take office
and retire from it without regard to propriety, and
who in their words disown the ways of the ancient
kings. Therefore it is said, ‘To urge one’s sovereign to
difficult achievements may be called showing respect
for him. To set before him what is good and repress

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