|
1 The disciple Kâo said, 'The music of Yü was better than that of king Wan.'
2 Mencius observed, 'On what ground do you say so?' and the other replied,
'Because at the pivot the knob of Yü's bells is nearly worn through.'
3 Mencius said, 'How can that be a sufficient proof? Are the ruts at the gate
of a city made by a single two-horsed chariot?'
1 When Ch'î was suffering from famine, Ch'an Tsin said to Mencius, 'The people
are all thinking that you, Master, will again ask that the granary of T'ang be
opened for them. I apprehend you will not do so a second time.'
2 Mencius said, 'To do it would be to act like Fang Fû. There was a man of that
name in Tsin, famous for his skill in seizing tigers. Afterwards he became a
scholar of reputation, and going once out to the wild country, he found the
people all in pursuit of a tiger. The tiger took refuge in a corner of a hill,
where no one dared to attack him, but when they saw Fang Fû, they ran and met
him. Fang Fû immediately bared his arms, and descended from the carriage. The
multitude were pleased with him, but those who were scholars laughed at him.'
1 Mencius said, 'For the mouth to desire sweet tastes, the eye to desire
beautiful colours, the ear to desire pleasant sounds, the nose to desire
fragrant odours, and the four limbs to desire ease and rest;-- these things are
natural. But there is the appointment of Heaven in connexion with them, and the
superior man does not say of his pursuit of them, "It is my nature."
2 'The exercise of love between father and son, the observance of righteousness
between sovereign and minister, the rules of ceremony between guest and host,
the display of knowledge in recognising the talented, and the fulfilling the
heavenly course by the sage;-- these are the appointment of Heaven. But there is
an adaptation of our nature for them. The superior man does not say, in
reference to them, "It is the appointment of Heaven."'
1 Hâo-shang Pû-hâi asked, saying, 'What sort of man is Yo-chang?' Mencius
replied, 'He is a good man, a real man.'
2 'What do you mean by "A good man," "A real man?"'
3 The reply was, 'A man who commands our liking is what is called a good man.
4 'He whose goodness is part of himself is what is called real man.
5 'He whose goodness has been filled up is what is called beautiful man.
6 He whose completed goodness is brightly displayed is what is called a great
man.
7 'When this great man exercises a transforming influence, he is what is called
a sage.
8 'When the sage is beyond our knowledge, he is what is called a spirit-man.
9 'Yo-chang is between the two first characters, and below the four last.'
Back to Top
|