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Analects (Legge) · Book XII

Analects (Legge) · Book XII

Book XII 9

  1. 1
  2. 2
  3. 3
  4. 4
  5. 5
  6. 6
  7. 7
  8. 8
  9. 9
  10. 10
  11. 11
  12. 12
  13. 13
  14. 14
  15. 15
  16. 16
  17. 17
  18. 18
  19. 19
  20. 20
  21. 21
  22. 22
  23. 23
  24. 24

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.’