Teach Before Leading the People

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English translation

Lu wanted to appoint Shenzi as a general. Mencius said, “To use the people in war without first teaching them is to bring disaster upon them; one who harms the people would not be tolerated in the age of Yao and Shun. Even if Lu defeated Qi in one battle and seized Nanyang, it would still be wrong.” Shenzi bristled: “That is something I, Huali, do not understand.” Mencius replied, “I will explain clearly. The Son of Heaven’s domain is a thousand li across; with less, he cannot receive the lords. A lord’s domain is one hundred li; with less, he cannot maintain the ancestral temples and their records. The Duke of Zhou’s fief in Lu was one hundred li—not because the land was insufficient, but because he limited himself to that amount. The Grand Duke’s fief in Qi was likewise one hundred li, though more land was available. Lu now has the equivalent of five hundred li. If a true king arose, should Lu be reduced or enlarged? To take from another and give to oneself is something a benevolent person would not do; how much less should one kill people to obtain it? A gentleman serving a ruler should guide him toward the right Way and remain committed to benevolence.”

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