Losing One’s Place in the Ranks
Text
English translation
Original Chinese text
孟子之平陆,谓其大夫曰:「子之持戟之士,一日而三失伍,则去之否乎?」
English translation
Mencius went to Pinglu and said to its governor: “If one of your halberd-bearing soldiers three times in one day fell out of his rank, would you dismiss him or not?”
Original Chinese text
曰:「不待三。」
English translation
He said, 'There is no need to wait for a third time.'
Original Chinese text
「然则子之失伍也亦多矣。凶年饥岁,子之民老羸转于沟壑,壮者散而之四方者几千人矣。」
English translation
If so, then you too have many failures in carrying out your duties. In years of famine, nearly a thousand of your people have been affected: the old and weak have died in ravines, while the able-bodied have scattered in every direction.
Original Chinese text
曰:「此非距心之所得为也。」
English translation
He said, 'This is not something Juxin could do.'
Original Chinese text
曰:「今有受人之牛羊而为之牧之者,则必为之求牧与刍矣。求牧与刍而不得,则反诸其人乎?抑亦立而视其死与?」
English translation
He said, 'Suppose someone receives another person's oxen and sheep and pastures them for him; then he must seek pasture and fodder for them. If he seeks pasture and fodder and does not get them, should he return them to that person, or should he stand and watch them die?'
Original Chinese text
曰:「此则距心之罪也。」
English translation
Juxin said, 'Then this is my fault.'
Original Chinese text
他日,见于王曰:「王之为都者,臣知五人焉。知其罪者,惟孔距心。为王诵之。」
English translation
Another day, Mencius had an audience with the king and said, 'Of those who serve Your Majesty as city governors, I know five. Among them, the only one who knows his own fault is Kong Juxin. I will recite it for Your Majesty.'
Original Chinese text
王曰:「此则寡人之罪也。」
English translation
The king said, 'Then this is my fault.'