Why Speak of Profit?

Contents

Text

English translation

Original Chinese text

English translation

Song Keng was on his way to Chu when Mencius met him at Shiqiu and asked, “Where are you going, sir?” Song replied, “I hear Qin and Chu are preparing for war. I will see the king of Chu and persuade him to stop; if he is not persuaded, I will see the king of Qin and persuade him. I expect to succeed with one of them.” Mencius said, “I will not ask for the details; I would like to hear your main point. How will you persuade them?” Song said, “I will tell them that war is disadvantageous.”

Original Chinese text

English translation

Mencius said, “Your purpose is lofty, but your way of presenting it is wrong. If you appeal to the rulers of Qin and Chu through profit, they may end the war for profit, and the soldiers will rejoice for the same reason. Ministers, sons, and younger brothers will then serve rulers, fathers, and elder brothers with profit in mind. Rulers and subjects, fathers and sons, and elder and younger brothers will abandon benevolence and righteousness and deal with one another for gain; no state has avoided ruin under such conditions. If instead you appeal to them through benevolence and righteousness, they may end the war for those values, and the soldiers will welcome them too. Ministers, sons, and younger brothers will serve their rulers, fathers, and elder brothers with benevolence and righteousness; these relationships will set profit aside and be guided by what is right. No one has failed to establish a true royal order this way. Why begin by speaking of profit?”

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