The Exile of Taijia
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English translation
Original Chinese text
公孙丑曰:“伊尹曰:‘予不狎于不顺。’放太甲于桐,民大悦;太甲贤,又反之,民大悦。贤者之为人臣也,其君不贤,则固可放与?”
English translation
Gongsun Chou asked, “Yi Yin said, ‘I do not associate with what is contrary to the Way.’ He sent Taijia into exile at Tong, and the people rejoiced. When Taijia became worthy, Yi Yin brought him back, and the people rejoiced again. When a worthy person serves as a minister, may he banish an unworthy ruler?”
Original Chinese text
孟子曰:“有伊尹之志,则可;无伊尹之志,则篡也。”
English translation
Mencius replied, “If one has Yi Yin’s intention, it may be permissible; without that intention, it is usurpation.”