Li Lou I · 孟子 4A.4

Passage 04

孟mèng子zǐ曰yuē：「愛ài人rén不bù親qīn，反fǎn其qí仁rén；治zhì人rén不bú治zhì，反fǎn其qí智zhì；禮lǐ人rén不bù答dá，反fǎn其qí敬jìng。行xíng有yǒu不bù得dé者zhě，皆jiē反fǎn求qiú諸zhū己jǐ。其qí身shēn正zhèng而ér天tiān下xià歸guī之zhī。《詩shī》云yún：『永yǒng言yán配pèi命mìng，自zì求qiú多duō福fú。』」

Mencius said, 'If a man love others, and no responsive attachment is shown to him, let him turn inwards and examine his own benevolence. If he is trying to rule others, and his government is unsuccessful, let him turn inwards and examine his wisdom. If he treats others politely, and they do not return his politeness, let him turn inwards and examine his own feeling of respect. When we do not, by what we do, realise what we desire, we must turn inwards, and examine ourselves in every point. When a man's person is correct, the whole kingdom will turn to him with recognition and submission. It is said in the Book of Poetry, "Be always studious to be in harmony with the ordinances of God, And you will obtain much happiness."'