Mencius. Book 2, Part 2, Chapter 3.
Book 2, Kung-Sun Ch'ow. Part 2.
1. Ch'in Tsin asked Mencius, saying, "Formerly, when you were in Ts'e, the king sent you a present of 2,400 taels of fine silver, and you refused to accept it. When you were in Sung, 1,680 taels were sent toyou, which you accepted; and when you were in See, 1,200 taels were sent, which you likewise accepted. If your declining to accept the gift in the first case was right, your accepting it in the latter cases was wrong. If your accepting it in the latter cases was right, your declining to do so in the first case was wrong. You must accept, master, one of these alternatives."
2. Mencius said, "I did right in allthe cases.
3. "When I was in Sung, I was about to take a long journey. Travelers must be provided with what is necessary for their expenses. The prince's message was ‹ 'A present against traveling expense.' Why should I have declined the gift?
4. "When I was in See, I was apprehensive for my safety, and taking measures for my protection. The messge was, 'I have heard tha tyou are taking measures to protect yourself, and send this to help you in procuring arms.' Why should I have declined the gift?
5. "But when I was in Ts'e, I had no occasion for money. To send a man a gift when he has no occasion for it is to bribe him. Hos is it possible that a superior man should be taken with a bribe?"
Book 2, Kung-Sun Ch'ow. Part 2.
1. Ch'in Tsin asked Mencius, saying, "Formerly, when you were in Ts'e, the king sent you a present of 2,400 taels of fine silver, and you refused to accept it. When you were in Sung, 1,680 taels were sent toyou, which you accepted; and when you were in See, 1,200 taels were sent, which you likewise accepted. If your declining to accept the gift in the first case was right, your accepting it in the latter cases was wrong. If your accepting it in the latter cases was right, your declining to do so in the first case was wrong. You must accept, master, one of these alternatives."
2. Mencius said, "I did right in allthe cases.
3. "When I was in Sung, I was about to take a long journey. Travelers must be provided with what is necessary for their expenses. The prince's message was ‹ 'A present against traveling expense.' Why should I have declined the gift?
4. "When I was in See, I was apprehensive for my safety, and taking measures for my protection. The messge was, 'I have heard tha tyou are taking measures to protect yourself, and send this to help you in procuring arms.' Why should I have declined the gift?
5. "But when I was in Ts'e, I had no occasion for money. To send a man a gift when he has no occasion for it is to bribe him. Hos is it possible that a superior man should be taken with a bribe?"
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Text source: The Works of Mencius. Translated by James Legge.
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