Human Nature and Resolve
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English translation
Original Chinese text
滕文公为世子,将之楚,过宋而见孟子。孟子道性善,言必称尧、舜。
English translation
When Duke Wen of Teng was heir apparent, he was about to go to Chu. Passing through Song, he met Mencius. Mencius spoke of the goodness of human nature, and in his words he always cited Yao and Shun.
Original Chinese text
世子自楚反,复见孟子。孟子曰:“世子疑吾言乎?夫道一而已矣。成覸谓齐景公曰:‘彼丈夫也,我丈夫也,吾何畏彼哉?’颜渊曰:‘舜何人也?予何人也?有为者亦若是。’公明仪曰:‘文王我师也,周公岂欺我哉?’今滕绝长补短,将五十里也,犹可以为善国。《书》曰:‘若药不瞑眩,厥疾不瘳。’”
English translation
The heir apparent returned from Chu and visited Mencius again. Mencius said, “Do you doubt what I told you? There is only one Way. Cheng Jian once said to Duke Jing of Qi, ‘He is a man of resolve, and so am I; why should I fear him?’ Yan Yuan said, ‘What sort of man was Shun? What sort of man am I? Anyone who makes the effort can be like him.’ Gongming Yi said, ‘King Wen is my teacher; how could the Duke of Zhou deceive me?’ If one measures Teng’s territory by shortening its long sides and extending its short ones, it comes to nearly fifty li across; even so, it can still become a good state. The Book says, ‘If a remedy produces no strong reaction, the illness will not be cured.’”