Sharing Joy with the People

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Original Chinese text

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Zhuang Bao met Mencius and said, ‘When I saw the king, he told me of his love of music. I did not know how to respond.’ He asked, ‘What do you make of a king's love of music?’

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Mencius said, ‘If the king's love of music runs deep, Qi may yet come close to good order.’

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On another day, Mencius asked the king, ‘Did Your Majesty tell Master Zhuang that you love music?’ The king's expression changed. ‘I cannot claim to love the music of the former kings,’ he said. ‘I simply enjoy the music people play today.’

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Mencius said, ‘If Your Majesty truly loves music, there is hope for Qi. The music of today can serve as well as the music of old.’ The king asked, ‘May I hear why?’

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Mencius asked, ‘Which brings greater joy: enjoying music alone, or enjoying it with others?’ ‘With others,’ the king replied. ‘And with a few people, or with many?’ ‘With many,’ the king said.

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‘Let me speak to Your Majesty about music. Suppose you play it here. When the people hear your bells and drums, your pipes and flutes, they clutch their aching heads and frown. They tell one another: “Our king loves to make music, but why has he brought us to this misery? Fathers and sons cannot meet; brothers, wives, and children are scattered.”’

Original Chinese text

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‘Suppose you hunt here. The people hear your chariots and horses and see the splendid feathered standards; all ache in the head and frown. They say to one another: “Our king loves hunting, but why has he brought us to this misery? Fathers and sons cannot meet; brothers, wives, and children are scattered.” There is no other reason: you have not shared joy with the people.’

Original Chinese text

English translation

‘Now suppose you play music here and the people hear the bells, drums, and pipes. Their faces brighten, and they say to one another: “Our king must be well. How else could he be making music?”’

Original Chinese text

English translation

‘Suppose you hunt here, and the people hear the chariots and horses and see the standards. Their faces brighten, and they ask one another: “Our king must be well. How else could he be hunting?” That is because you share joy with the people. If Your Majesty does so, you can rule as a true king.’

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