Page 47 - 《孟子》（二）中·英对照版

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or removal from one dwelling to another, there will
be no quitting the district. In the fields of a district,
those who belong to the same nine-squares render
all friendly offices to one another in their going out
and coming in, aid one another in keeping watch and
ward, and sustain one another in sickness. Thus the
people are brought to live in affection and harmony.
A square li covers nine squares of land, which nine
squares contain nine hundred mu. The central square
is the public field, and eight families, each having its
private hundred mu, cultivate in common the public
field. And not till the public work is finished, may
they presume to attend to their private affairs. This is
the way by which the countrymen are distinguished
from those of a superior grade. Those are the great
outlines of the system. Happily to modify and adapt
it depends on the prince and you.”

【注释】［1］为国：治国之道。［2］阳虎：即

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