Gifts, Courtesy, and Principle

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English translation

Original Chinese text

English translation

Wan Zhang asked, “What attitude should one have when giving and receiving gifts?” Mencius replied, “Respect.” Wan Zhang asked, “Why is refusing a gift considered disrespectful?” Mencius said, “When a respected elder gives something, it is disrespectful to first suspect whether it was obtained justly and only then decide whether to accept it. That is why one should not refuse.” Wan Zhang asked, “Could one refuse inwardly—believing the gift was unjustly taken from the people—and decline for some other stated reason?” Mencius replied, “If the giver’s dealings follow the Way and the gift is offered with proper courtesy, Confucius would accept it.”

Original Chinese text

English translation

Wan Zhang asked, “Suppose someone murders and robs outside the city gate, yet otherwise deals with people properly and presents gifts with courtesy. May such a gift be accepted?” Mencius replied, “No. The Counsels of Kang says, ‘Those who kill and rob, fierce and unafraid of death, are hated by all the people.’ Such people are to be punished without waiting for instruction. The Shang received the realm from the Xia, and the Zhou received it from the Shang; neither declined the succession. Such cases remain serious even today. How could one accept a gift from such a person?”

Original Chinese text

English translation

Wan Zhang said, “Today’s feudal lords take from the people much as robbers do. Yet it is said, ‘If the courtesy surrounding the exchange is proper, a gentleman may accept the gift.’ How should that be understood?” Mencius replied, “Do you think that if a true king arose, he would condemn all today’s lords to death? Or would he first teach them and execute them only if they refused to reform? Saying that taking what is not yours is theft pushes a principle to its furthest conclusion in order to clarify justice. When Confucius served in Lu, people there hunted and divided the game through a practice called liejiao, and Confucius took part too. If even that practice could be tolerated, how much more could one accept a gift from a ruler?”

Original Chinese text

English translation

Wan Zhang asked, “Then did Confucius not enter office to serve the Way?” Mencius said, “He did.” “Why, then, did he take part in liejiao?” “Confucius first registered and fixed the number of sacrificial vessels; he did not use food from the four directions, which was difficult to obtain regularly, to make up the required amount.”

Original Chinese text

English translation

Wan Zhang asked, “Why did he not leave?” Mencius replied, “He was laying the groundwork for reform. If the opening was sufficient to put the Way into practice but it was not carried out, then he left. Thus he never remained anywhere for a full three years. Confucius served in office under three circumstances: when he saw that the Way could be implemented; when a suitable relationship or opportunity arose; and when he was publicly supported. With Ji Huanzi, he saw that the Way could be put into practice; with Duke Ling of Wei, circumstances and the relationship made service fitting; with Duke Xiao of Wei, he accepted public support.”

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