Welcoming Those Who Come
Text
English translation
Original Chinese text
孟子之滕,馆于上宫。有业屦于牖上,馆人求之弗得。
English translation
When Mencius went to Teng, he lodged at the Upper Palace. An unfinished pair of straw sandals had been left on a window ledge, but the lodging staff could not find them.
Original Chinese text
或问之曰:“若是乎从者之廋也。”
English translation
Someone asked, “Could the attendants really have hidden them?”
Original Chinese text
曰:“子以是为窃屦来与?”
English translation
Mencius asked, “Do you think they came here intending to steal shoes?”
Original Chinese text
曰:“殆非也。夫子之设科也,往者不追,来者不拒。茍以是心至,斯受之而已矣。”
English translation
The man replied, “Probably not. Your teaching is open: you do not pursue those who have left, and you do not reject those who come. If they arrive with a sincere wish to learn, you receive them.”