Speaking Up and Choosing to Leave
Text
English translation
Original Chinese text
孟子谓蚔鼃曰:「子之辞灵丘而请士师,似也,为其可以言也。今既数月矣,未可以言与?」
English translation
Mencius said to Qi Wa, 'Your resigning from Lingqiu and asking for the office of Minister of Justice seemed reasonable, because in that office you could speak. It has already been several months now; are you still unable to speak?'
Original Chinese text
蚔鼃谏于王而不用,致为臣而去。
English translation
Chi Wa remonstrated with the king, but his advice was not adopted; he therefore gave up his position as a minister and left.
Original Chinese text
齐人曰:「所以为蚔鼃,则善矣;所以自为,则吾不知也。」
English translation
The people of Qi said, “Your advice to Chi Wa—to speak up and then leave—was sound. But why you do not follow the same course yourself is beyond me.”
Original Chinese text
公都子以告。
English translation
Gongdu Zi reported this to Mencius.
Original Chinese text
曰:「吾闻之也:有官守者,不得其职则去;有言责者,不得其言则去。我无官守,我无言责也,则吾进退岂不绰绰然有馀裕哉?」
English translation
Mencius said, 'I have heard it said: one who has an official post with duties, if he cannot carry out his duties, leaves; one who has the responsibility to speak, if his words are not heeded, leaves. I have no official post with duties, and I have no responsibility to speak; then in advancing or withdrawing, how could I not be amply free with room to spare?'