Li Lou II · Passage 23 / 33 · 孟子 4B.23
Mencius 4B.23: why place taking, giving, and dying
Mencius refines moral judgment by showing that virtue is not proved by always maximizing one type of act.
孟子曰：「可以取，可以無取，取傷廉。可以與，可以無與，與傷惠。可以死，可以無死，死傷勇。」
Mencius said, 'When it appears proper to take a thing, and afterwards not proper, to take it is contrary to moderation. When it appears proper to give a thing and afterwards not proper, to give it is contrary to kindness. When it appears proper to sacrifice one's life, and afterwards not proper, to sacrifice it is contrary to bravery.'
Priority note
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Central question
Why does Mencius place taking, giving, and dying together in one passage of proportionate judgment?
Direct answer
Because virtue is not demonstrated by pushing one action to an extreme. It is wrong to refuse what should be taken, to withhold what should be given, or to avoid death when death is required. But where taking, giving, or dying are optional, excess can injure integrity, benevolence, and courage respectively. The issue is fitting measure, not dramatic posture.
First principle
Morality does not consist in maximizing a single action, but in preserving proper proportion even in the border zones of choice.
Why it matters
This passage serves searches around moral proportion, courage, and Mencius on judgment. It is an important short text against the theatricalization of virtue.
Further reading
What this passage is doing
This is passage 23 of 33 in Li Lou II. The cleanest entry point is "When it appears proper to take a thing,…". In context, it works as part of Mencius's argument about seeing people clearly, ritual restraint, and governing relationships and can be read alongside Human nature.
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Li Lou II offers concrete judgments about seeing people, handling relationships, and the discipline of ritual.
Related principles
Citation note
Do not read it as timid moderation. Mencius is not opposing decisive action, but exposing the mistake of treating excess gesture as proof of mature virtue.