Jin Xin II · 孟子 7B.32

Passage 32

孟mèng子zǐ曰yuē：「言yán近jìn而ér指zhǐ遠yuǎn者zhě，善shàn言yán也yě；守shǒu約yuē而ér施shī博bó者zhě，善shàn道dào也yě。君jūn子zǐ之zhī言yán也yě，不bú下xià帶dài而ér道dào存cún焉yān。君jūn子zǐ之zhī守shǒu，修xiū其qí身shēn而ér天tiān下xià平píng。人rén病bìng舍shè其qí田tián而ér芸yún人rén之zhī田tián，所suǒ求qiú於wū人rén者zhě重zhòng，而ér所suǒ以yǐ自zì任rèn者zhě輕qīng。」

Mencius said, 'Words which are simple, while their meaning is far-reaching, are good words. Principles which, as held, are compendious, while their application is extensive, are good principles. The words of the superior man do not go below the girdle, but great principles are contained in them. The principle which the superior man holds is that of personal cultivation, but the kingdom is thereby tranquillized. The disease of men is this: that they neglect their own fields, and go to weed the fields of others, and that what they require from others is great, while what they lay upon themselves is light.'