The Analects/Book 12/12.9

Book 12, Passage 12.9

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?'

哀公问于有若曰：“年饥，用不足，如之何？”有若对曰：“盍彻乎？”曰：…

All 24 passages in Book 129 of 24

4 sentences · 2 notes

哀āi公gōng问wèn于yú有yǒu若ruò曰yuē：“年nián饥jī，用yòng不bù足zú，如rú之zhī何hé？”有yǒu若ruò对duì曰yuē：“盍hé彻chè乎hū？”曰yuē：“二èr，吾wú犹yóu不bù足zú，如rú之zhī何hé其qí彻chè也yě？”对duì曰yuē：“百bǎi姓xìng足zú，君jūn孰shú与yǔ不bù足zú？百bǎi姓xìng不bù足zú，君jūn孰shú与yǔ足zú？”

1The 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?'

2Yu 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?'

4Yu 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 commentary · 2 notes

The notes printed with this passage in Chinese editions, kept in Chinese, for readers who come to the text that way.

盍彻乎：盍，何不。彻，西周时流行于诸侯国的一种田税制度。旧注曰：“什一而税谓之彻。”

孰与：与谁，同谁。

All 24 passages in Book 12

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