Exchange of Work and Goods
Text
English translation
Original Chinese text
彭更问曰:“后车数十乘,从者数百人,以传食于诸侯,不以泰乎?”
English translation
Peng Geng asked, “You travel with several dozen carriages and hundreds of attendants, receiving food from one ruler after another. Is that not extravagant?”
Original Chinese text
孟子曰:“非其道,则一箪食不可受于人。如其道,则舜受尧之天下,不以为泰,子以为泰乎?”
English translation
Mencius replied, “If it is not in accord with the Way, one should not accept even a basket of food from another. If it is in accord with the Way, Shun’s receiving all under Heaven from Yao was no extravagance. Do you think it was?”
Original Chinese text
曰:“否。士无事而食,不可也。”
English translation
Peng Geng answered, “No. But it is wrong for a scholar to receive support while doing nothing.”
Original Chinese text
曰:“子不通功易事,以羡补不足,则农有馀粟,女有馀布。子如通之,则梓匠轮舆皆得食于子。于此有人焉;入则孝,出则悌,守先王之道,以待后之学者,而不得食于子。子何尊梓匠轮舆而轻为仁义者哉?”
English translation
Mencius said, “If you do not circulate the products of labor and exchange services, using surplus to meet shortages, farmers will have grain left over and women will have cloth left over. If you allow such exchange, carpenters, craftsmen, and wheelwrights can all obtain food from you. Now imagine a person who is filial at home, respectful to elders outside, keeps the Way of the former kings, and waits to teach later learners—yet you will not support him. Why honor carpenters and wheelwrights while slighting someone who practices benevolence and righteousness?”
Original Chinese text
曰:“梓匠轮舆,其志将以求食也。君子之为道也,其志亦将以求食与?”
English translation
Peng Geng said, “Carpenters, craftsmen, and wheelwrights work to earn their living. Does a gentleman uphold the Way for the same reason?”
Original Chinese text
曰:“子何以其志为哉?其有功于子,可食而食之矣。且子食志乎?食功乎?”
English translation
Mencius replied, “Why speculate about his motive? If his work benefits you, it is proper to support him. Besides, do you support people for their intentions, or for the useful results of their work?”
Original Chinese text
曰:“食志。”
English translation
Peng Geng replied, “I support them for their intentions.”
Original Chinese text
曰:“有人于此,毁瓦画墁,其志将以求食也,则子食之乎?”
English translation
Mencius asked, “Suppose someone damages roof tiles and smears plaster on walls, intending to earn a living by doing so. Would you support him?”
Original Chinese text
曰:“否。”
English translation
Peng Geng replied, “No.”
Original Chinese text
曰:“然则子非食志也,食功也。”
English translation
Mencius said, “Then you do not support people for their intentions; you support them for the results of their work.”