Mencius. Book VII: Tsin Sin. Part II. Chapter XIX.

Legge's summary: Mencius comforts Mo Ch'î under calumny by the reflection that it was the ordinary lot of distinguished men.

1. Mo Ch'î said, 'Greatly am I from anything to depend upon from the mouths of men.'

2. Mencius observed, 'There is no harm in that. Scholars are more exposed than others to suffer from the mouths of men.

3. 'It is said, in the Book of Poetry,

"My heart is disquieted and grieved,

I am hated by the crowd of mean creatures."

This might have been said by Confucius. And again,

"Though he did not remove their wrath,

He did not let fall his own fame."

This might be said of king Wan.'


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Translated by James Legge, published in 1861 and revised for publication in 1895. Prepared as etext by Stephen R. McIntyre. Noded by schist. Please msg schist if you have suggestions for useful hard-links.

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