Gao Zi II · Passage 09 / 16 · 孟子 6B.9

Mencius 6B.9: enriching the ruler and strengthening

Mencius argues that when a ruler is not directed toward the way and toward benevolence, helping him grow wealth and military power only magnifies harm.

孟子曰：「今之事君者，皆曰：『我能為君辟土地，充府庫。』今之所謂良臣，古之所謂民賊也。君不鄉道、不志於仁，而求富之，是富桀也。『我能為君約與國，戰必克。』今之所謂良臣，古之所謂民賊也。君不鄉道、不志於仁，而求為之強戰，是輔桀也。由今之道，無變今之俗，雖與之天下，不能一朝居也。」

mèng zǐ yuē：「jīn zhī shì jūn zhě， jiē yuē：『wǒ néng wéi jūn pì tǔ dì， chōng fǔ kù。』 jīn zhī suǒ wèi liáng chén， gǔ zhī suǒ wèi mín zéi yě。 jūn bù xiāng dào、 bú zhì wū rén， ér qiú fù zhī， shì fù jié yě。『wǒ néng wéi jūn yuē yǔ guó， zhàn bì kè。』 jīn zhī suǒ wèi liáng chén， gǔ zhī suǒ wèi mín zéi yě。 jūn bù xiāng dào、 bú zhì wū rén， ér qiú wéi zhī qiáng zhàn， shì fǔ jié yě。 yóu jīn zhī dào， wú biàn jīn zhī sú， suī yǔ zhī tiān xià， bù néng yì cháo jū yě。」

Mencius said, 'Those who now-a-days serve their sovereigns say, "We can for our sovereign enlarge the limits of the cultivated ground, and fill his treasuries and arsenals." Such persons are now-a-days called "Good ministers," but anciently they were called "Robbers of the people." If a sovereign follows not the right way, nor has his mind bent on benevolence, to seek to enrich him is to enrich a Jie. Or they will say, "We can for our sovereign form alliances with other States, so that our battles must be successful." Such persons are now-a-days called "Good ministers," but anciently they were called "Robbers of the people." If a sovereign follows not the right way, nor has his mind directed to benevolence, to seek to enrich him is to enrich a Jie. Although a prince, pursuing the path of the present day, and not changing its practices, were to have the throne given to him, he could not retain it for a single morning.'