Li Lou I · 孟子 4A.10

Passage 10

孟mèng子zǐ曰yuē：「自zì暴bào者zhě，不bù可kě與yǔ有yǒu言yán也yě；自zì棄qì者zhě，不bù可kě與yǔ有yǒu爲wéi也yě。言yán非fēi禮lǐ義yì，謂wèi之zhī自zì暴bào也yě；吾wú身shēn不bù能néng居jū仁rén由yóu義yì，謂wèi之zhī自zì棄qì也yě。」「仁rén，人rén之zhī安ān宅zhái也yě；義yì，人rén之zhī正zhèng路lù也yě。曠kuàng安ān宅zhái而ér弗fú居jū，舍shè正zhèng路lù而ér不bù由yóu，哀āi哉zāi！」

Mencius said, 'With those who do violence to themselves, it is impossible to speak. With those who throw themselves away, it is impossible to do anything. To disown in his conversation propriety and righteousness, is what we mean by doing violence to one's self. To say "I am not able to dwell in benevolence or pursue the path of righteousness," is what we mean by throwing one's self away. Benevolence is the tranquil habitation of man, and righteousness is his straight path. Alas for them, who leave the tranquil dwelling empty and do not reside in it, and who abandon the right path and do not pursue it?'