What Comes from You Returns to You

Contents

Text

English translation

Original Chinese text

English translation

Zou and Lu clashed. Duke Mu of Zou asked, ‘Thirty-three of my officers died, but none of the people died defending them. There are too many to punish; yet if I do not punish them, I let them watch resentfully as their superiors die without helping. What can I do?’

Original Chinese text

English translation

Mencius answered, ‘In years of famine, your old and weak have starved to death in the ditches, and several thousand able-bodied people have fled in all directions. Yet your granaries and treasuries are full, and your officers did not tell you. Those above neglected and harmed those below.’

Original Chinese text

English translation

‘Zengzi said, “Take heed: what goes out from you comes back to you.” The people are now returning the treatment they received. Do not blame them.’

Original Chinese text

English translation

‘If you govern benevolently, the people will feel close to those above them and will risk their lives for their leaders.’

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