Three Joys of the Noble Person
Text
English translation
Original Chinese text
孟子曰:“君子有三乐,而王天下不与存焉。
English translation
Mencius said, “A noble person has three joys, and ruling the realm is not among them.”
Original Chinese text
父母俱存,兄弟无故,一乐也。
English translation
“That one’s parents are both alive and one’s siblings remain safe and well: this is the first joy.”
Original Chinese text
仰不愧于天,俯不怍于人,二乐也。
English translation
“To look up without shame before Heaven and look down without shame before other people: this is the second joy.”
Original Chinese text
得天下英才而教育之,三乐也。君子有三乐,而王天下不与存焉。”
English translation
“To find the finest and most promising people in the realm and educate them: this is the third joy. A noble person has three joys, and ruling the realm is not among them.”