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Mohism -> Mozi -> Book 5 -> Condemnation of Offensive War I -> 1

Suppose a man
enters the orchard of another
and steals the other's peaches and plums.
Hearing of it the public will condemn it;
laying hold of him the authorities will punish him.
Why?
Because he injures others to profit himself.
As to seizing dogs, pigs, chickens, and young pigs from another, it is even more unrighteous than to steal peaches and plums from his orchard.
Why?
Because it causes others to suffer more, and it is more inhumane and criminal.
When it comes to entering another's stable and appropriating the other's horses and oxen, it is more inhumane than to seize the dogs, pigs, chickens, and young pigs of another.
Why?
Because others are caused to suffer more;
when others are caused to suffer more,
then the act is more inhumane and criminal.
Finally, as to murdering the innocent, stripping him of his clothing, dispossessing him of his spear and sword, it is even more unrighteous than to enter another's stable and appropriate his horses and oxen.
Why?
Because it causes others to suffer more;
when others are caused to suffer more,
then the act is more inhumane and criminal.
天下
1
All the gentlemen of the world know that they should condemn these things, calling them unrighteous.
But when it comes to the great attack of states,
they do not know that they should condemn it.
On the contrary, they applaud it,
calling it righteous.
2Can this be said to be knowing the difference between righteousness and unrighteousness?

1. 子 : Inserted. 孫詒讓《墨子閒詁》
2. 可 : Originally read: "何". Corrected by 孫詒讓《墨子閒詁》


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