Residence and Nourishment

Contents

Text

English translation

Original Chinese text

English translation

As Mencius traveled from Fan to Qi, he saw the son of the King of Qi from a distance and sighed, “One’s position changes one’s bearing; one’s manner of living changes one’s body. How powerful a position is! Is he not, after all, someone’s son like everyone else?”

Original Chinese text

English translation

Mencius said, “The prince’s palaces, carriages, horses, and clothing are mostly like those of others, yet he appears as he does because of the position he occupies. How much more so for one who dwells in the broadest abode under Heaven—benevolence. When the ruler of Lu went to Song, he called out at the gate of Dieze, a gate of the state of Song. The guard said, ‘That is not our ruler—why does his voice sound so like our ruler’s?’ There was no other reason: their positions were alike.”

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