Human Nature and Resolve

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English translation

Original Chinese text

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

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.’”

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