Mencius. Book 1, Part 2, Chapter 6.
1. Mencius said to the King Seuen of Ts'e, "Suppose that one of Your Majesty's ministers were to entrust his wife and children to the care of his friend, while he himself went into Ts'oo to travel, and that, on his return, he should find that the friend had caused his wife and children to suffer from cold and hunger; ‹ how ought he to deal with him?" The king said, "He should cast him off."
2. Mencius proceeded, "Suppose that the chief criminal judge could not regulate the officers under him, how would you deal with him?" The king said, "Dismiss him."
3. Mencius again said, "If within the four borders of your kingdom there is not good government, what is to be done?" The king looked to the right and left, and spoke of other matters.
1. Mencius said to the King Seuen of Ts'e, "Suppose that one of Your Majesty's ministers were to entrust his wife and children to the care of his friend, while he himself went into Ts'oo to travel, and that, on his return, he should find that the friend had caused his wife and children to suffer from cold and hunger; ‹ how ought he to deal with him?" The king said, "He should cast him off."
2. Mencius proceeded, "Suppose that the chief criminal judge could not regulate the officers under him, how would you deal with him?" The king said, "Dismiss him."
3. Mencius again said, "If within the four borders of your kingdom there is not good government, what is to be done?" The king looked to the right and left, and spoke of other matters.
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Text source: The Works of Mencius. Translated by James Legge.
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