Serving Without Accepting a Salary

Contents

Text

English translation

Original Chinese text

English translation

Mencius left Qi and stayed at Xiu. Gong Sun Chou asked, “To hold office but not accept salary—was that the way of antiquity?”

Original Chinese text

English translation

He said, “No. At Chong I was able to see the king. After withdrawing I had the intention to leave and did not wish to change it; therefore I did not accept salary. Subsequently there was a military order, and I could not request leave. Remaining long in Qi was not my intention.”

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