Mencius by Anonymous

Author:Anonymous
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Penguin Group USA, Inc.
Published: 2010-11-04T00:00:00+00:00

3. Wan Chang asked, ‘May I ask about friendship?’

‘In making friends with others,’ said Mencius, ‘do not rely on the advantage of age, position or powerful relations. In making friends with someone you do so because of his virtue, and you must not rely on any advantages you may possess.

‘Meng Hsien Tzu was a noble with a hundred chariots. He had five friends, including Yüeh-cheng Ch’iu and Mu Chung–the names of the other three I have forgotten. Hsien Tzu had these five as friends because they lacked his position. If these five had had his position, they would not have accepted him as a friend. This applies not only to a noble with a hundred chariots, but also to rulers of small states. Duke Hui of Pi said, “Tzu-ssu I treat as a teacher; Yen Pan I treat as a friend; as for Wang Shun and ch‘ang Hsi, they are men who serve me.” Not only does this apply to rulers of small states, but sometimes also to rulers of large states. Take Duke P’ing of Chin and Hai T’ang for instance. He entered when Hai T’ang said “Enter”, sat down when Hai T’ang said “Sit down”, and ate when Hai T’ang said “Eat”, and he ate his fill even when the fare was unpolished rice and vegetable broth, because he did not share do otherwise. But Duke P’ing went no further than this. He did not share with Hai T’ang his position, his duties, or his revenue–all given to him by Heaven. This is the honouring of the good and wise by a Gentleman, not the honouring of the good and wise by kings and dukes.

‘Shun went to see the Emperor, who placed his son-in-law in a separate mansion. He entertained Shun but also allowed himself to be entertained in return. This is an example of an Emperor making friends with a common man.

‘For an inferior to show deference to a superior is known as “honouring the honoured” for a superior to show deference to an inferior is known as “honouring the good and wise”. These two derive, in fact, from the same principle.’

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