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The
difference between Fifty yards and a Hundred
" I have done my best for the state, Prince Huei of Liang
told Menciu. When the crops fail west of the river. I move
the people east or bring grain from the east to relieve
them. If the crops are poor in the east, I do the same. When
I look at the rulers of other states, none of them does so
much for his people as I do, yet their populations have not
decreased, while mine has not inceased. Can you tell me why
? "
"
Since Your Majesty loves fighting ", answered Mencius,
" let me take an example from that. Once the drums
sound, the troops engage the enemy. The those who are
defeated abandon their armour and retreat, trailing their
weapons behind them. Suppose one man runs a hundred yards
and another man fifty, is the one who has fled only fifty
right to laugh at the one who has fled a hundred ?"
"
Of course not ", replied Prince Huei. He may not have
gone a hundred yards, but he has turned
tail just the same.
If
your Majesty understands this, responded Mencius, you should
not expect your population to be greater than that of any of
the neighbouring states.
|
turned
tail |
If you turn
tail, you turn and run
away. |
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