Mencius. Book 1, Part 2, Chapter 14.
1. The duke Wan of T'ang asked Mencius, saying, "The people of Ts'e are going to fortify See. The movement occasions me great alarm. What is the proper course for me to take in the case?"
2. Mencius replied, "Formerly, when King T'ae dwelt in Pin, the barbarians of the north were continually making incursions upon it. He therefore left it, went to the foot of Mount K'e, and there took up his residence. He did not take that situation, as having selected it. It was a matter of necessity with him.
3. "If you do good, among your descendants, in after generations, there shall be one who will attain to the imperial dignity. A prince lays the foundation of the inheritance, and hands down the beginning which he has made, doing what may be continued by his successors. As to the accomplishment of the great result, that is with Heaven. What is that T'se to you, O prince? Be strong to do good. That is all your business."
1. The duke Wan of T'ang asked Mencius, saying, "The people of Ts'e are going to fortify See. The movement occasions me great alarm. What is the proper course for me to take in the case?"
2. Mencius replied, "Formerly, when King T'ae dwelt in Pin, the barbarians of the north were continually making incursions upon it. He therefore left it, went to the foot of Mount K'e, and there took up his residence. He did not take that situation, as having selected it. It was a matter of necessity with him.
3. "If you do good, among your descendants, in after generations, there shall be one who will attain to the imperial dignity. A prince lays the foundation of the inheritance, and hands down the beginning which he has made, doing what may be continued by his successors. As to the accomplishment of the great result, that is with Heaven. What is that T'se to you, O prince? Be strong to do good. That is all your business."
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Text source: The Works of Mencius. Translated by James Legge.
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