Traveling with Wang Huan
Text
English translation
Original Chinese text
孟子为卿于齐,出吊于滕,王使盖大夫王驩为辅行。王驩朝暮见,反齐、滕之路,未尝与之言行事也。
English translation
Mencius was serving as a minister in Qi. When he went out to Teng to offer condolences, the king sent Wang Huan, the governor of Ge, to accompany him as assistant envoy. Wang Huan saw him morning and evening, but on the road back and forth between Qi and Teng, Mencius never once spoke with him about official business.
Original Chinese text
公孙丑曰:「齐卿之位,不为小矣;齐、滕之路,不为近矣。反之而未尝与言行事,何也?」
English translation
Gong Sun Chou said, 'The position of a minister of Qi is not a small one, and the road between Qi and Teng is not short. Yet on the return journey you never spoke with him about official business—why was that?'
Original Chinese text
曰:「夫既或治之,予何言哉?」
English translation
Mencius said, 'Since someone already manages it, what is there for me to say?'