Chinese and Arabian Literature - E. Wilson - The Search For Mecca

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THE SAYINGS OF MENCIUS
was it so ? " Mencius replied, " No, it was not so. E Yin was
farming in the lands of the State of Sin, delighting in the prin-
ciples of Yaou and Shun. In any matter contrary to the right-
eousness which they prescribed, or to the course which they enjoined,
though he had been salaried with the empire, he would
not have regarded it ; though there had been yoked for him a
thousand teams, he would not have looked at them. In any
matter contrary to the righteousness which they prescribed, or
to the course which they enjoined, he would not have given nor
taken even a single straw.
" T'ang sent persons with presents of silk to ask him to enter
his service. With an air of indifference and self-satisfaction, he
said, ' What can I do with these silks with which T'ang invites
me? Is it not best for me to abide in these channeled fields,
and therein delight jnyself with the principles of Yaou and
Shun?'
" T'ang thrice sent persons thus to invite him. After this,
with the change of purpose displayed in his countenance, he
spoke in a different style, saying, ' Instead of abiding in the
channeled fields, and therein delighting myself with the principles
of Yaou and Shun, had I not better make this ruler one
after the style of Yaou and Shun ? had I not better make this
people like the people of Yaou and Shun ? had I not better in
my own person see these things for myself? Heaven's plan in
the production of this people is this :—That they who are first
informed, should instruct those who are later in being informed,
and those who first apprehend principles should instruct those
who are slower to do so. I am the one of Heaven's people who
have first apprehended ; I will take these principles and instruct
this people in them. If I do not instruct them, who will do so ? '
" He thought that among all the people of the kingdom, even
the private men and women, if there were any that did not enjoy
such benefits as Yaou and Shun conferred, it was as if he himself
pushed them into a ditch. He took upon himself the heavy
charge of all under Heaven in this way, and therefore he went
to T'ang, and pressed upon him the duty of attacking Hea, and
saving the people.
" I have not heard of one who bent himself and at the same
how much less could one disgrace
time made others straight ;
himself, and thereby rectify the whole kingdom ? The actions
of the sages have been different. Some have kept far away