Zengzi and the Jujubes

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English translation

Original Chinese text

English translation

Zeng Xi liked jujubes, so Zengzi could not bear to eat them. Gongsun Chou asked, “Which tastes better, roast meat or jujubes?”

Original Chinese text

English translation

Mencius replied, “Roast meat, of course!”

Original Chinese text

English translation

Gongsun Chou asked, “Then why did Zengzi eat roast meat but not jujubes?”

Original Chinese text

English translation

Mencius said, “Roast meat is something everyone enjoys, whereas jujubes were something Zeng Xi alone favored. One avoids speaking a father’s personal name, not his surname: a surname is shared by many, while his given name is unique to him.”

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