Page 205 - 《孟子》（二）中·英对照版

离
娄
上

There was a boy singing, ‘When the water of the
Canglang is clear, it does to wash the strings of my
cap; When the water of the Canglang is muddy, it
does to wash my feet.’ Confucius said, ‘Hear what
he sings, my children. When clear, then he will wash
his cap-strings; and when muddy, he will wash his
feet with it. This different application is brought by
the water on itself.’ A man must first despise himself,
and then others will despise him. A family must first
destroy itself, and then others will destroy it. A state
must first smite itself, and then others will smite it.
This is illustrated in the passage of the Tai Jia, ‘When
Heaven sends down calamities, it is still possible
to escape them. When we occasion the calamities
ourselves, it is not possible any longer to live.’ ”

【注释】［1］菑：同“灾”，灾难。［2］乐：
沉迷。［3］孺子歌：当时流传很广的民歌。
［4］沧浪：前人有多种解释，或认为是水名（汉

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