Self-Inflicted Ruin

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English translation

Mencius said, “Can one reason with the unbenevolent? They are at ease with danger, profit from what harms them, and delight in what will bring their ruin. If they could be reasoned with despite their lack of benevolence, how could states fall and families be ruined? A child sang, ‘When the Canglang water is clear, I can wash my capstrings; when it is muddy, I can wash my feet.’ Confucius said, ‘Disciples, listen! If it is clear, wash your capstrings; if it is muddy, wash your feet. You bring it upon yourselves.’ A person must first insult himself before others insult him; a family must first destroy itself before others destroy it; a state must first invite attack before others attack it. The Taijia says, ‘A calamity sent by Heaven may still be escaped; one made by oneself leaves no way to live.’ That is what this means.”

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