Serving Without Abandoning Principle
Text
English translation
Original Chinese text
孟子曰：“仕非为贫也，而有时乎为贫；娶妻非为养也，而有时乎为养。
English translation
Mencius said, “One does not enter office simply because one is poor, though at times poverty is the reason; one does not marry simply to be supported, though at times support is a reason.”
Original Chinese text
为贫者，辞尊居卑，辞富居贫。辞尊居卑，辞富居贫，恶乎宜乎？抱关击柝。
English translation
If one takes office because of poverty, one should decline high rank for a low post and rich emoluments for modest means. What work suits such a person? Guarding a gate and patrolling with a night watchman’s clapper.
Original Chinese text
孔子尝为委吏矣，曰：“会计当而已矣。”尝为乘田矣，曰：“牛羊茁壮，长而已矣。”
English translation
Confucius once served as a storehouse clerk and said, “It is enough to keep the accounts accurate.” He also once managed grazing lands and said, “It is enough to see that the cattle and sheep grow strong.”
Original Chinese text
位卑而言高，罪也。立乎人之本朝而道不行，耻也。”
English translation
To speak with authority while holding a low position is a fault. To stand in a ruler’s court while being unable to put the Way into practice is a disgrace.”