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Mohism -> Mozi -> Book 13 -> Lu's Question -> 9

魯陽文君墨子Prince Wen of Lu Yang asked Mozi:
"Suppose somebody was recommended as a loyal minister.
And he would bow down when I let him bow down;
he would bend back when I let him bend back.
Staying there he would be silent,
and when called upon he would answer.
?」 Can this be said to be loyal?"
墨子 Mozi said:
To bow down when permitted,
to bend back when permitted
- this is but a shadow.
To remain silent when let alone,
to answer when called upon
- this is but an echo.
What would your Lordship get out of an echo or a shadow?
According to my conception of a loyal minister,
when the superior is at fault he should wait and warn;
possessing a good idea
he should give counsel to the superior
without revealing it to the world;
he should correct irregularities
and lead in goodness ;
he should identify himself with the superior and not ally himself with subordinates.
1
So that goodness and excellences will be attributed to the superior
and complaints and grudges lodged against the subordinates;
so that ease and happiness be with the superior
and trouble and worry with the ministers.
2。」
This is what I call a loyal minister.

1. 是 : Inserted. 孫詒讓《墨子閒詁》
2. 所 : Inserted. 孫詒讓《墨子閒詁》


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