Ask Without Presumption
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English translation
Original Chinese text
公都子曰:“滕更之在门也,若在所礼,而不答,何也?”孟子曰:“挟贵而问,挟贤而问,挟长而问,挟有勋劳而问,挟故而问,皆所不答也。滕更有二焉。”
English translation
Gongduzi asked, “Teng Geng studies at your school and seems someone who should be treated with courtesy, yet you do not answer him. Why?” Mencius said, “I do not answer those who ask from a sense of entitlement based on high rank, presumed worth, seniority, meritorious service, or personal connections. Teng Geng relies on two of these.”