2021.10.15 Friday Qing D289
"Zhidao Lexue·Chinese Classics" D431
"Mencius" with all my heart
Twenty-one
Original text
Mencius said: "When it comes to things, a gentleman loves them without benevolence [1]; when it comes to the people, he is benevolent without being close to relatives. He is benevolent to the people by being close to relatives and benevolent." The people love things."
Notes
[1] Eph: No.
Translation
Mencius said: "A gentleman treats foreign objects and cherishes them but does not practice benevolent government; a gentleman treats the people with benevolent government but does not love them. A gentleman loves his relatives but does not treat the people If you implement benevolent government and treat the people with benevolent policies, you will cherish all things in the world."
Analysis
Mencius's article talks about the gentleman's attitude towards all things in the world, the people and his relatives. Through the article, we can know. It can be seen that there is a difference between these three in the heart of a gentleman. This is caused by the distance of the relationship and is a manifestation of letting nature take its course. It can also be seen from this that Mencius admires the principle of benevolence from near to far, and from oneself to others, which is also one of the principles consistently advocated by Confucianism.
Twenty-two
Original text
Mencius said: "Those who know [1] are all ignorant, and they must be urgent; all benevolent people love, and urgent The most important thing is to be close to the virtuous. Yao and Shun were very knowledgeable but did not know everything about things, so they were anxious to do things first. Check [3]; leave food to eat [4], and ask Wu Tejue [5], this is called ignorance of duties."
Notes
[1] Zhi (zhì). ): Same as "governing".
[2]缧(sī): fine linen, here refers to filial piety. This kind of mourning dress has the shortest mourning period among the five kinds of mourning clothes, about three months. In ancient times, sons-in-law wore this kind of filial attire when mourning for their father-in-law and mother-in-law.
[3] Xiao Gong: Xiao Gong is one level higher than Yi and needs to be mourned for five months. In ancient times, my grandson went to mourn for his grandfather and used to wear small rituals. Cha: Pay attention carefully.
[4] Put the rice in: Eat big mouthfuls. It is disrespectful in front of elders. Liujun (chuò): drink soup in a big gulp.
[5] Teeth Jue: Use teeth to bite off things. This refers to chewing meat with teeth.
Translation
Mencius said: "Smart people want to know everything, but what they want to know first is the most urgent thing at hand; there is nothing that a benevolent person does not cherish, but They are always eager to cherish the virtuous. Yao and Shun's knowledge could not cover all things in the world, so they were eager to do the things at hand; Yao and Shun's benevolence and righteousness could not extend to everyone, so they were eager to cherish the virtuous. But they are very particular about small funerals in March and May; they do not eat and drink in front of the elders, but pursue the small etiquette of "gnawing meat without teeth" in front of the elders. This is called ignorance of current affairs. ”
Analysis
This article by Mencius mainly tells people that things must be prioritized and done in order. Only in this way can we deal with urgent matters and solve major problems as soon as possible. If you don't even have this most basic order, you will become an ignorant person.