"China" in "The Book of Songs" - some sections of "The Book of Songs·Daya·People's Labor" The electorate is also exhausted, but it is possible to be well-off. Benefit this country and bring peace to all directions. The people are tired and can rest for a while. Benefit this China and think of the people. The people are also tired and can take a short rest.
Benefit this capital and support the four countries. The people are also exhausted, and their thirst is small. Benefit this China and relieve the worries of the people. The people are tired and can rest in peace. Benefit China, and the country will not be left in ruins. This is the earliest China that appears in poetry in current records. In this poem, not only "China" but also "well-off" appear.
This is a satirical poem admonishing rulers to love and care for their citizens. At the beginning of the poem, it is said: The people have worked very hard, and they can live in peace for a while. We must protect the people in the capital. The "China" here refers to the area directly ruled by the Zhou Dynasty, which is relative to the vassal states in the four directions.
"China" in pre-Qin prose - an excerpt from "Mencius, King Hui of Liang, Qi Huan and Jin Wen" says: "Is fatness and sweetness not enough for the mouth? Lightness and warmth are not enough for the body? Suppression is The color is not enough for the eyes to see? The sound is not enough for the ears to hear? The king's ministers are all enough to provide it, but the king said: "No, I don't think it is right?" Ye.
Said: "But the king's great desire is already known: he wants to expand the land, go to Qin and Chu, and come to China to appease the barbarians. Do what you want and ask for what you want, just like asking for a fish based on a tree. "The king said: "What if it is really a gift? ”
Mencius said: “Is it because there is not enough rich and sweet food? Are light and warm clothes not enough? Or is it because there are not enough beauties? Can’t get enough of the wonderful music? Are there not enough favored ministers? These ministers can fully provide the king. Is this really what the king wants? "King Xuan of Qi said: "No, that's not what I am doing.
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