Choosing the Worthy with Care

Contents

Text

English translation

Original Chinese text

English translation

Mencius told King Xuan of Qi, ‘An old state is not defined by its ancient trees but by ministers whose families have long served it. You have no close ministers now; of those you once advanced, you do not even know who has gone.’

Original Chinese text

English translation

The king asked, ‘How can I tell who lacks ability and set him aside?’ Mencius replied, ‘When a ruler advances the worthy, if he cannot do otherwise, he will cause someone of low rank to pass one of high rank, and an outsider to pass a kinsman. How could he fail to take care?’

Original Chinese text

English translation

‘If all your attendants call someone worthy, that is not enough. If all the high officers say so, it is still not enough. When the people of the state say so, examine him; only after finding him worthy should you employ him.’

Original Chinese text

English translation

‘If all your attendants say a man is unfit, do not act on that alone. Even if the high officers agree, do not yet act. When the people of the state agree, examine him; if he proves unfit, then remove him.’

Original Chinese text

English translation

‘If all your attendants say a man should be put to death, do not rely on that. Nor should you rely solely on the high officers. When the people of the state say so, investigate; only if the case warrants death should the sentence be carried out. Thus it is said that the people of the state put him to death. Only then may a ruler act as a parent to the people.’

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