A Warning from Mencius

*Mencius is not the same as Confucius.  He had his own idea. He was smart to have said that he was Confucian.  He did win a place  in the Confucius kingdom.

孟子對曰：「王何必曰利？亦有仁義而已矣。王曰『何以利吾國』？大夫曰『何以利吾家』？士庶人曰『何以利吾身』？上下交征利而國危矣。萬乘之國弒其君者，必千乘之家；千乘之國弒其君者，必百乘之家。亅

Mencius said to him: "Why does the king  promote benefit-first? Benevolence and righteousness are important too......  When everybody from the top to the bottom fights for self-interest as the only purpose in life, the country will be in big problem.

Kings will be assassinated by their subordinates."

Translation note:

上下交征利 

(shàng xià jiāo zhēng lì)

Everybody  from the upper circle to the lower level are fighting with each other for selfish interest (as their only purpose in life).

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