Relations with Neighboring States

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English translation

Original Chinese text

English translation

King Xuan of Qi asked, ‘Is there a right way to deal with neighboring states?’ Mencius answered, ‘Yes. Only a benevolent ruler can care for a smaller state from a position of greater power: Tang did so with Ge, and King Wen with the Kunyi. Only a wise ruler can serve a greater state from a position of lesser power: the Great King served the Xunyu, and Goujian served Wu.’

Original Chinese text

English translation

‘A greater state that treats a smaller one well delights in Heaven's order; a smaller state that deals carefully with a greater one stands in awe of Heaven. The former may preserve the realm; the latter may preserve its own state.’

Original Chinese text

English translation

‘The Odes say: “Stand in awe of Heaven's might, and thereby preserve what you hold.”’ The king replied, ‘Those are grand words. Yet I have a failing: I am fond of valor.’

Original Chinese text

English translation

Mencius replied, ‘Your Majesty, do not prize a small kind of courage. Clutching a sword, glaring, and saying “Who dares stand against me?” is one man's bravado, fit only to face one opponent. Let your courage take a greater form.’

Original Chinese text

English translation

‘The Odes tell how the king rose in anger, ordered his troops, checked an incursion, secured the Zhou people's welfare, and answered to the realm. That was King Wen's courage. His anger brought peace to the people.’

Original Chinese text

English translation

‘The Documents say: “Heaven brought forth the people and set rulers and teachers over them, to aid the Lord on High and be honored throughout the four quarters. The guilty I shall punish, and the innocent I shall protect. With me here, who under Heaven would dare defy that purpose?”’

Original Chinese text

English translation

‘King Wu could not bear to see even one person running unchecked through the realm. That was his courage. His anger, too, brought peace to the people. If Your Majesty's anger likewise secured their peace, the people would only fear that you did not love such courage.’

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