Confucian Analects · Analects 12.9
1. The Duke Ai inquired of Yu Zo, saying, 'The year is one of scarcity, and the returns for expenditure are not sufficient;-- what is to be done?' 2. Yu Zo replied to him, 'Why not simply tithe the people?' 3. 'With two tenths, said the duke, 'I find it not enough;-- how could I do with that system of one tenth?' 4. Yu Zo answered, 'If the people have plenty, their prince will not be left to want alone. If the people are in want, their prince cannot enjoy plenty alone.'
Chinese · source text【第九章】【一節】哀公問於有若曰年饑、用不足、如之何。【二節】有若對曰、盍徹乎。【三節】曰、二、吾猶不足、如之何其徹也。【四節】對曰、百姓足、君孰與不足、百姓不足、君孰與足。
Read in context ›
Confucius · English translation by James Legge · bilingual transcription
James Legge, The Chinese Classics, Volume 1: Confucian Analects · Project Gutenberg #4094
Passage preview. Read in context for the complete text, notes and references.