"Dare I ask, Master, how long does it take to be evil?" ①
He said: "I know what to say, and I am good at cultivating my awe-inspiring spirit."
"Dare to Asked what is the Qi of Haoran? "
He said: "It is difficult to describe. It is the most powerful and strong, and it is blocked between heaven and earth. With the Tao; if there is no such thing, it is discouragement. It is the result of gathering righteousness and taking it if it is not carried out in the heart. Therefore, I say, Gaozi (4) does not know the righteousness. It's something outside. Don't be upright. Don't forget it. Don't encourage it. People from the Yuan Dynasty and the Song Dynasty said: The people in the Song Dynasty had Min (6) whose seedlings didn't grow long and were untangled (7). 8) Go back and say to him (9): "I am sick today! I will help the seedlings to grow!" His son is looking at it, but the seedlings are dying. There are few people in the world who don't help the seedlings to grow. Those who do not cultivate the seedlings (11); those who help the elders are those who pull the seedlings - not only useless, but also harmful. "
"What is knowing words?"
< p> said: "The edicts (12) know what they are hiding, the obscene words (13) know where they are trapped, the evil words (14) know where they are separated, and the escape words (14) know what they are lacking. - Born in his heart, it is harmful. In his government; in his government, in harm's way. When the saint rises, he must follow my words."Notes
① This passage is an excerpt from Gongsun Chou and Mencius. dialogue. The person who asked this question was Gongsun Chou. ②Haoran: Grand and flowing appearance. ③把: fast, happy. (4) Reported to: Unknown name, may have been taught by Mozi. ⑤正: Stop. "But don't be right" means "but don't stop". (6) Min: Worry, sorrow. (7) Ji: Dial. (8) Bright and tired look. (9) The person refers to the people in his family People, (10) sick, tired, tired, (12) Yi (bi) words: biased words (13) obscene words: exaggerated words (14) evasive words.
Translation
Gongsun Chou said: "Teacher, what are you good at? ”
Mencius said: “I am good at analyzing other people’s words, and I am good at cultivating my own awe-inspiring spirit. "
Gongsun Chou said: "Excuse me, what is the aura of awe-inspiringness? "
Mencius said: "This is difficult to explain clearly in one or two sentences. This kind of Qi is extremely vast and powerful. If you cultivate it with integrity without harming it, it will fill the world. However, this energy must be consistent with benevolence, righteousness and morality, otherwise it will lack strength. Moreover, it must be cultivated with regular benevolence and righteousness in order to be generated, and cannot be obtained by occasional righteous behavior. Once you act with a guilty conscience, this energy will lack strength. So I said that Gaozi did not understand righteousness because he regarded righteousness as something outside the heart. We must constantly cultivate righteousness and never forget it in our hearts, but we must not help it grow wishfully. Don't be like the people of the Song Dynasty: There was a man in the Song Dynasty who thought that the seedlings he planted always did not grow high, so he went to the field to pull them up one by one with his hands. He came home panting from exhaustion and said to his family: 'I'm really exhausted today! However, I finally made the seedlings grow taller all of a sudden! ’ His son ran to the field and saw that all the seedlings were dead. There are very few people in the world who don't make this mistake of trying to encourage others. Those who think there is no use in maintaining crops and ignore them are lazy people who only plant crops without weeding; those who wishfully help crops grow are the kind of people who encourage the growth of crops - not only does it not benefit, but it kills the crops. "
Gongsun Chou asked: "How can I be good at analyzing other people's words? ”
Mencius replied: “The biased words know where they are one-sided; the exaggerated words know where they are excessive; the weird words know where they are bizarre; the evasive words know where they are unreasonable.” --If it comes from the heart, it will definitely cause harm to politics, and if it is used in politics, it will definitely cause harm to national affairs. If the saint reincarnates, he will definitely agree with my life. ”
Original text
Mencius said: “If one uses strength as a benevolent person, hegemony will lead to a great country.” The king who behaves with virtue and benevolence will not wait for the king. (2) Great - Tang is seventy miles, King Wen is hundreds of miles. If you convince others with strength, you are not convinced with your heart, but with strength (3); if you convince others with virtue, your heart is happy and sincerely convinced, just like the seventy-year-old disciples who convinced Confucius. "Poetry" says (4): "From the west to the east, from the south to the north, without thinking and disobeying (5), this is what it means." ”
Notes
①Fake: borrow, rely on. ②Wait: wait, extended to rely on. ③Support: sufficient. ④"Poetry" says: Quoted from "The Book of Songs? Daya?" "King Wen Yousheng". ⑤ Thoughts: Particles, meaningless.
Translation
Mencius said: "Those who use force and pretend to be benevolent can dominate, so the dominant country must be a big country." Those who use morality and practice benevolence and righteousness can make the world submit, but it is not necessarily a big country that makes the world submit - King Tang of Shang only had a radius of seventy miles, and King Wen of Zhou only had a radius of one hundred miles. Those who conquered others by force were not others. To obey him sincerely is just because you don't have enough strength; to make people obey with morality is to obey him sincerely, just like the seventy disciples who obeyed Confucius. "The Book of Songs" says: "From the west to the east, from the south to the north, all are sincerely convinced." ’ This is exactly what I’m talking about. ”
Original text
Mencius said: “Being kind brings glory, being unkind brings humiliation; now it is unkind to live in humiliation, which is like hating wetness and living in inferiority.”
To be evil, it is better to respect virtue and honor the wise. The wise should be in office and the capable should be in office. When the country has leisure, it is better to clarify its policies and punishments at the right time. Although it is a big country, it must be feared. "Poetry" says ②: "It's not raining in the sky ③, it's mulberry soil ④, prepare for the house (5)." Do you dare to insult me ??now? ’ Confucius said: ‘Whoever writes this poem knows it! Who dares to insult the country who can rule it? 'Now that the country is free, at this time, if you are happy and lazy (7), you are asking for trouble. All misfortunes and blessings come from those who seek them by themselves. "Poetry" says (8): "It is always said that people who are destined to do so will seek more blessings from themselves." 'Taijia' (10) says: "If God does evil, you can still violate it (11); if you do evil by yourself, you will not live (12).' This is what it means."
Notes
< p>①Leisure: refers to the country’s stability and freedom from internal and external troubles. ② "Poetry" says: Quoted from "The Book of Songs? Evil Wind? Owl Crow". ③訨(dai): take advantage of. ④Cheer: peel off. Mulberry soil (du): the root of the mulberry tree; soil is the same as "Du", and the Dong Qi dialect says "root" is "Du". . ⑤Preparation (mou): tangled. You (you): window; household: door. ③Xiamin: The meaning of the people is the same as "people". The poem here is in the tone of an owl (a bird that looks like a yellow bird but has a smaller body). Its nest is on top, so people are called "subordinate people". (7) Pan: happy. Sloth: laziness. Ao: Same as "invite", which means traveling. (9) "Poetry" says: Quoted from "Tao Jing? Da Xie? King Wen". ③Yong: long-lasting; words: words help the same, great meaning. Cooperate. Destiny: Destiny. (10) An article in "Taijia" and "Shangshu". (11) Violation: Avoid. (12) Huo: The borrowed word of "魭" (huan), which means "escape".Translation
Mencius said: "Being kind brings glory, being unkind brings shame; people nowadays hate shame but live in an unkind situation, which is like hating moisture but living in a low-lying area. If you really hate shame, it is best to value benevolence, respect scholars, put virtuous people in certain official positions, and have talented people hold certain positions, and cultivate your country when there is no internal or external trouble. Political and legal system. If you do this, even big countries will be afraid of you. "The Book of Songs" says: "While the weather is clear and there is no rain, peel off the bark of some mulberry tree roots and repair the windows and doors. Now, who of you dares to bully you?" Me?" Confucius said: "The person who wrote this poem knows the truth! Who dares to bully him if he can govern his country well? "Now that the country has no internal or external troubles, it is your own fault to enjoy yourself." Seek disaster. Neither disaster nor happiness is brought by yourself. "The Book of Songs" says: "Cooperate with destiny for a long time and seek more happiness by yourself." "Shangshu Dajia" says: "Disasters sent by heaven are okay." Escape; there is nowhere to escape from the sins caused by oneself."
Original text
Mencius said: "If you respect the wise and enable them to be powerful, then the heroes will be in power." All the people in the world are pleased with it, and are willing to establish it in their dynasty; if the market is small but not levied①, and the law is not simple②, then all the merchants in the world are happy, and they are willing to hide it in their market; if the pass is ridiculed but not levied③ , then all the farmers in the world will be happy, and they will be willing to go on their own way; if the cultivators help without taxing ④, then all the farmers in the world will be happy, and they will be willing to cultivate their fields; ), then all the people in the world will be happy and willing to be a gangster (7). If you believe in those who can do these five, then the people in neighboring countries will look up to them like their parents and lead their children to attack their parents. This has been the case since the beginning of time. There is no one who can help. In this way, there is no one who is invincible in the world. Those who are invincible in the world are the officials of heaven (8). However, there is no one who is not a king."
Notes
① Chan (Chan): A warehouse where goods are stored or accumulated in the city. Levy: tax. ②Law but not black: refers to the official purchase of goods that have been overstocked in warehouses for a long time in accordance with regulations to ensure the interests of merchants. ③ Ridicule without tax: only inspect but not tax. ridicule, inquire. ④ Help but not tax: refers to the well-field system of "Nine Days for Cultivators" which only helps cultivate public land without collecting taxes. ⑤廛: This refers to residential buildings, which is different from the meaning of “廛” in “廛without levy”. (6) Fulibu: A tax name in ancient times, namely "Fubu" and "Libu", which is roughly equivalent to the land tax and labor tax in later generations. (7) Meng: refers to immigrants who immigrated from other places. (8) Heavenly officials: rulers who obey the will of God. The "official" here does not refer to petty officials
Translation
Mencius said: "Respect the talented, use capable people, outstanding people have positions, then all the scholars in the world will be If you are happy to hold an official position in such a court; if you provide a place to store goods in the market but do not tax, and if you buy unsalable goods according to the law and do not accumulate them, then merchants all over the world will be happy to do business in such a market; If the customs only inspects but does not collect taxes, then travelers all over the world will be happy to travel on such a road; if crops are only cultivated according to the well-field system and no taxes are imposed, then farmers all over the world will be happy to cultivate such land. If there are no additional land taxes and labor taxes in residential areas, then people all over the world will be happy to be residents here. If someone can truly achieve these five points, even the people in neighboring countries will look up to him like a parent. Wanting to lead these people to attack him is like leading people to attack your parents. If you do this, you will be called the "Heavenly Official" who is invincible in the world. It has never been possible for the world to submit to this level. '"
Original text
Mencius said: "Everyone has a heart that cannot be tolerated." There is a policy of intolerance in the human heart.
With a heart that cannot tolerate others, carry out an intolerable government, and govern the world with the palm of your hand. Therefore, it is said that everyone has a heart of being intolerant of others. Nowadays, when people see a child beating others, they all have a heart of fear and compassion - not because of friendship with the child's parents, nor because of reputation among the friends of the township party. Yes, it’s not because of his bad voice. From this point of view, if you don’t have a heart of compassion, you are not a human being; if you don’t have a heart of shame and disgust, you are not a human being; if you don’t have a heart of resignation, you are not a human being; if you don’t have a heart of right and wrong, you are not a human being. The heart of compassion is the root of benevolence (6); the heart of shame and disgust is the root of righteousness; the heart of resignation is the root of courtesy; the heart of right and wrong is the root of wisdom. Human beings have four ends, just as they have four bodies. There are four ends, and those who claim that they are incapable of doing so are committing treason; those who claim that their ruler is incapable of doing so are committing treason against his ruler. Anyone who has just stood up to me (7) knows that it has been expanded and enriched. If people start to do this (8), the spring will start to reach. If you can fill it up, you can protect (9) the world; if you can't fill it, you can't serve your parents. ”
Notes
① Intolerance; pity, sympathy. ① Zha: suddenly, suddenly. ③ Wary: frightened. Sideways: sorrow, sympathy. ④ Inner To make friends, to make friends. ⑤ To gain reputation, to win reputation. ". (8) Ran, the same as "burn". (9) Bao: Ding, stable.
Translation
Mencius said: "Everyone has compassion and consideration for others. The former kings were compassionate and considerate of the feelings of others, so they had the politics of compassion and consideration for the people. Use compassion and consideration for others, and implement politics with compassion and consideration for the people, and governing the world will be as easy as moving things in the palm of your hand. The reason why it is said that everyone has compassion and sympathy for others is because if someone suddenly saw a child about to fall into a well today, he would definitely be shocked and sympathetic. Psychologically - This is not because you want to have a relationship with the child's parents, not because you want to gain reputation among your neighbors and friends, nor because you are disgusted with the child's cries. From this point of view, without sympathy, we are simply not human; without shame, we are simply not human; without humility, we are simply not human; without a sense of right and wrong, we are simply not human. Compassion is the origin of benevolence; shame is the origin of righteousness; humility is the origin of propriety; the mind of right and wrong is the origin of wisdom. Human beings have these four origins, just like they have limbs. Those who have these four origins but think they are incapable of doing so are those who give up on themselves; those who think that their monarch is incompetent are those who despise their monarchs. Anyone who has these four origins knows to expand and enrich them, just like a fire that has just begun to burn, or a spring that has just begun to flow. If they can be expanded, it will be enough to stabilize the world. If they cannot be expanded, even supporting parents will be a problem. ”
Original text
Mencius said: “Isn’t it better to criticize someone ① than to criticize someone ②? The arrow is for fear of not hurting others, the letter is for fear of hurting others. The same goes for shamans③. Therefore, technique ④ cannot be done carelessly. Confucius said: "Benevolence is the beauty, but if you choose not to be benevolent, how can you gain wisdom?" ’ Fu Ren is the nobility of heaven and the safe home of man. It is unwise to resist without benevolence⑤. Unkind, unwise, rude, unjust, and a slave to others. People serve and are ashamed of being Served, from (6) Bowing to people and being ashamed of bowing, and arrowing people and being ashamed of being arrows. It is better to be benevolent than to be ashamed. A benevolent person is like a shooter: when he shoots, he corrects himself and then shoots; when he shoots and misses, he does not complain about defeating himself, but only seeks others. ”
Notes
①Yaren: the person who makes arrows. ②Hanren, the person who makes and sells armor. ③Witch: witch doctor, goose. Craftsman: craftsman, special here Refers to the carpenter who makes coffins. ④Shu: This refers to the choice of livelihood, that is, the choice of occupation. ⑤Yu: Same as "Yu"
Translation
Mencius said: "Isn't the person who makes arrows less kind than the person who makes and sells armor? Those who make arrows are afraid that the arrows they make will not hurt people; those who make armor are afraid that the arrows will hurt people. The same thing happened between the doctor and the coffin maker. Therefore, one cannot be careless when choosing a career. Confucius said: 'It is better to live in a place with a benevolent atmosphere. How can we say it is wise to choose a place to live without being obsessed with it? In a place where there is a kind and kind atmosphere? ’ Benevolence is a noble title in heaven and the most comfortable residence in the world. It is unwise not to choose benevolence when there is no one to stop you. People who are unkind, unwise, rude and unjust only deserve to be driven by others. Being driven by others and feeling ashamed is like being a bow-maker but being ashamed of making bows, and being a bow-maker being ashamed of making arrows. If you are truly ashamed, then you might as well practice benevolence. A virtuous person is like an archer: the archer corrects his posture first and then releases the arrow; if he misses the shot, he does not blame the person who is a better shot than him, but instead blames himself. "
Original text
Mencius said: "Zi Lu, when people tell him that he has made a mistake, he is happy. When Yu heard the good words, he worshiped them. Great Shun had ① great Yan, who was kind to others and ② sacrificed himself and followed others, and was willing to take advantage of others as a good deed. From farming, pottery, and fishing to becoming an emperor, it is nothing more than taking things from others. To think that others are good is to do good to others ③ Therefore, there is nothing more important than doing good to others. ”
Notes
①There is: the same as “and”. ②Be good with others: do good things with others. ③Be kind to others: and: be together.
Translation
Mencius said: "Zilu, when others pointed out his faults, he was very happy. When Dayu heard something instructive, he saluted others. The great Emperor Shun was even more remarkable: he always did good deeds with others.
Give up your own shortcomings, learn from others' strengths, and happily absorb the strengths of others to do good. From the time he farmed, made pottery, and fished until he became an emperor, there was never a time when he did not learn from others. To absorb the advantages of others to do good deeds is to do good deeds together with others. Gentleman. The most important thing is to do good with others.
The second sentence of Gongsun Chou's chapter
Except for the first chapter which simply introduces Mencius' remarks, the remaining chapters also record Mencius's deeds, actions and remarks, focusing on his attitude towards life. There are many famous quotes in it. There are 14 chapters in the original text, and 7 chapters are selected from this book.
The weather is not as favorable as the favorable geographical conditions, and the favorable geographical conditions are not as favorable as the human relations
Original text
Mencius said: "The favorable weather is not as favorable as the favorable geographical conditions, and the favorable geographical conditions are not as favorable as the human relations ①. A city of three miles is not as good as a city of seven miles. Guo ②, if you attack it in a circle, you will be victorious. If you attack it in a circle, you will be able to win. However, if you fail to win, the weather is not as good as the location. It’s not that it’s not strong and profitable, it’s not that there’s not enough rice and millet; if you leave it behind, it’s because the land is not as good as the people. Therefore, it’s said: Territory (6) The people don’t use the boundaries of the border, and the country doesn’t use the mountains and streams (7). Danger means that the world will not benefit from military revolution. Those who have gained the right will be helped by many, and those who are unjust will be helped by few. When there is little help, they will be surrounded by relatives (8); when they are helped by many, the world will obey them and attack. Relatives are by the side; therefore a gentleman has (9) If he does not fight, he will win if he fights."
Notes
① The right time, the right place, and the right people: "Gouzi? Wang Ba Chapter." " said: "If a farmer is simple but incompetent, he will not lose the right time at the top and the right place at the bottom. He will win people and everything but will not lose everything." The "heavenly time" that Gouzi refers to refers to the farming season, and "the right place" refers to the fertile soil. "Hehe" refers to the division of labor among people. The "timing" mentioned by Mencius here refers to the timing of the battle, climate, etc.; "geographical advantage" refers to the dangerous mountains and rivers, strong cities, etc.; "harmony" refers to the will of the people, internal unity, etc. ②A city of three li and a guo of seven li: the inner city is called "cheng" and the outer city is called "guo". The ratio between inner and outer city is generally three miles for the city and seven miles for the country. ③Pond: That is the moat. ④Bing: Weapons, referring to offensive weapons such as spears, swords, and arrows. Leather: leather, nails. Ancient armor was made of leather as well as copper and iron. (5) Commission: abandon. (6) Territory citizens: restrict people. domain, boundary. (8) Pan: Same as "rebellion". (9) There is: or, either.
The siege cannot be broken. Since the siege is from all sides, there will always be good times or good weather, but it still cannot be broken. This shows that the favorable timing and weather are not as good as the favorable terrain. Another situation is that the city wall is not not high. The moat was not deep, the weapons and armor were not extremely powerful and strong, and the food and grass were not insufficient, but they still abandoned the city and fled. This shows that the favorable terrain is not as good as the concerted efforts of the people. Therefore, the common people cannot rely on blocking the border. A country cannot be protected by dangerous mountains and rivers, nor can it be achieved by sharp weapons. Those who have moral principles will receive more help, while those who lose moral principles will receive less help. When the number of people is extremely small, even relatives will rebel; when the number of people helping is extremely large, everyone in the world will obey. To attack someone who will betray even relatives, it must be without fighting. Already, the battle is invincible. ”
Interpretation
The relationship between heaven, earth and man has been of concern to people throughout the ages. Which of the three is the most important has become a topic of discussion. As we quoted in the notes, Xunzi once discussed the issues of time, location, and people from the perspective of agricultural production. But he did not distinguish who was important and who was not important, but paid equal attention to all three, and none was indispensable.
Mencius here mainly analyzes and discusses the relationship between the weather, the right place, and the right people from the military aspect, and his point of view is clear: "The right time is not as good as the right place, and the right place is not as good as the right people." Among the three, "Humanity" is the most important factor that plays a decisive role, "geographical convenience" comes second, and "timing" comes second. This is separate from his consistent thought of attaching importance to people's subjective initiative. At the same time, it is also inseparable from his purpose of discussing the time, location, people and relationships. inseparable from the purpose. It was precisely from emphasizing the importance of "harmony" that he came to the conclusion that "the right person will get more help, and the unjust person will get less help". This led the issue from military to political, and in fact returned to his "cliché" topic of "benevolent government".
According to Mencius, the common people cannot be restricted by sealing borders, nor can a country be preserved by relying on mountains and rivers to overcome obstacles. Therefore, there is no way out by closing the country to the outside world. We need to reform, we need to open up, we need to improve our national strength, and let the people live and work in peace and contentment. As long as this is achieved, "those who have gained the Tao will be helped more". If the help is reached to the extreme, people all over the world will obey and submit. Then there will inevitably be a situation like what Confucius said - "The people from all over the world will come here carrying their sons." ("The Analects of Confucius? Zilu") People from all over the world come to apply to study abroad, apply to do business, and even bring their wives and children. Why is there no need to "close borders" when applying for immigration and settlement?
"The right person will get much help, but the unjust person will get little help" has become a famous saying, so much so that we still often use it to evaluate international relations and condemn hegemonists.
Of course, "the right time is not as good as the right place, and the right place is not as good as the people" is also a famous saying, and it is also more widely used in the craze of business competition, sports competitions, especially football matches. This fully shows that the philosophy contained in it is rich, profound and broadly extensible.
As the saying goes, "When people unite, mountains can move." Who said that "people and people" are not the most important wealth?
Next article (When you should accept it, accept it, and when you recite it, you recite it)
Gongsun Chouxia
When you should accept it, you accept it, and when you recite it you recite it
Original text
Chen Zhen ① asked: "The day before yesterday in Qi, Wang gave ② a hundred taels of gold and did not receive it; in Song Dynasty, he gave 70 yi and received; in Xue ④, he gave If you did not accept it yesterday, then you will receive it today; if you receive it today, you will receive it yesterday." Mencius said. : "It's all true. When I am in the Song Dynasty, I will have to travel far, and the traveler must give me money (5); Ci said: 'Feed money.' Why should I not accept it? When I am in Xue Ye, I should be wary; Ciri :'I heard the warning, so I gave it to the soldiers. 'Why should I not accept it? "(8)
Notes
(1) Chen Zhen: a student of Mencius. ②Also gold: good gold. Because its price is double that of ordinary gold, it is called "double gold". ③One hundred: That is one hundred yi (yi). Er is an ancient unit of weight. One yi is worth twenty taels. ④Xue: There was the State of Xue in the Spring and Autumn Period, but it was destroyed by the State of Qi in the time of Mencius. Therefore, the Xue here refers to the fiefdom of Tianying, Jingguo Jun of the State of Qi, in the southeast of today's Teng County, Shandong Province. ⑤醆(jin): To give travel expenses or gifts to people traveling far away. (6) Be alert: Be prepared for accidents. According to Zhao Qi's annotation, there were evil people who wanted to harm Mencius, so Mencius was on guard. (7) Wei Wu Chu: There is no source, which by extension means there is no reason. (8) Goods: verb, buy, bribe.
Translation
Chen Zhen asked: "When I was in Qi State, the King of Qi gave you a hundred yi of gold, but you didn't accept it; when I arrived in Song State, my family The king gave you seventy yi, but you accepted it; in Xuedi, Xue Jun gave you fifty yi, and you accepted it. If it was right not to accept it before, then it was wrong to accept it later; The later acceptance was correct, but the previous refusal was wrong. Teacher, you must have made a mistake once." Mencius said: "It was all correct when he was in Song Dynasty. , I am going to travel far, and I should give some money to those who are traveling. So the king of Song said: "Send some money." When I was in Xuedi, I heard that there was danger on the road and I needed to be careful. Xue Jun said: "I heard that you need to be on guard, so I gave you some money to buy weapons." How can I not accept it? As for Qi, there is no reason to give me some money. You are buying me with money. Where can I be bribed with money?