Kinsmen Ministers and Ministers of Other Clans
Text
English translation
Original Chinese text
齐宣王问卿。孟子曰:“王何卿之问也?”王曰:“卿不同乎?”
English translation
King Xuan of Qi asked about ministers. Mencius said, “Which kind of minister are you asking about, Your Majesty?” The king replied, “Are ministers not all the same?”
Original Chinese text
曰:“不同,有贵戚之卿,有异姓之卿。”王曰:“请问贵戚之卿。”
English translation
Mencius replied, “They differ. There are ministers who are royal relatives and ministers of a different surname.” The king said, “Please tell me about ministers who are royal relatives.”
Original Chinese text
曰:“君有大过则谏,反复之而不听,则易位。”王勃然变乎色。
English translation
Mencius said, “When the ruler commits a grave error, a minister who is a royal relative must remonstrate. If repeated remonstrance is ignored, the ruler should be replaced.” The king’s expression suddenly changed.
Original Chinese text
曰:“王勿异也。王问臣,臣不敢不以正对。”
English translation
Mencius said, “Your Majesty need not be alarmed. Since you asked me, I dare not answer anything but frankly and correctly.”
Original Chinese text
王色定,然后请问异姓之卿。曰:“君有过则谏,反复之而不听,则去。”
English translation
After the king’s expression settled, he asked about ministers of a different surname. Mencius said, “When the ruler errs, they should remonstrate; if repeated remonstrance is ignored, they should leave.”