Human Nature Like Willow
Text
English translation
Original Chinese text
告子曰:“性,犹杞柳也;义,犹杯棬也。以人性为仁义,犹以杞柳为杯棬。”
English translation
Gaozi said, “Human nature is like the willow; righteousness is like cups and bowls made from willow. To fashion human nature into benevolence and righteousness is like fashioning willow into cups and bowls.”
Original Chinese text
孟子曰:“子能顺杞柳之性,而以为杯棬乎?将戕贼杞柳,而后以为杯棬也?如将戕贼杞柳,而以为杯棬;则亦将戕贼人,以为仁义与?率天下之人而祸仁义者,必子之言夫。”
English translation
Mencius said, “Can you make cups and bowls by following the willow’s own nature? Or must you injure and force the willow before it can become cups and bowls? If you must injure the willow to make them, must you likewise injure people in order to make them benevolent and righteous? Your words would lead everyone under Heaven to bring harm to benevolence and righteousness.”