Taking Yan and the Will of Its People

Contents

Text

English translation

Original Chinese text

English translation

Qi attacked Yan and won. King Xuan asked, ‘Some tell me not to take Yan; others tell me to take it. A state of ten thousand chariots attacked another state of ten thousand chariots and took it in fifty days—surely human strength alone did not bring this about. If I do not take it, there will surely be a calamity from Heaven. Should I take it?’

Original Chinese text

English translation

Mencius replied, ‘If taking Yan would please its people, take it; King Wu acted on such a principle. If taking Yan would displease them, do not take it; King Wen acted on that principle.’

Original Chinese text

English translation

‘When one great state attacks another and people welcome the army with baskets of food and jars of drink, why do they do so? They are fleeing hardship as one flees flood and fire. If the flood grows deeper and the fire hotter, they will turn away again.’

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