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Mohism -> Mozi -> Book 1 -> Indulgence in Excess -> 4

The present rulers are
quite different from this when they make their clothes.
Having what is warm and light in winter and what is light and cool in summer,
they would yet heavily tax the people,
robbing them of their means of livelihood,
in order to have elaborately embroidered and gorgeous garments.
Hooks are made of gold
and ornaments on the girdle consist of pearls and jades.
Women are employed to make the embroidery
and men to do the carving.
1
All these are for the adornment of the body.
They really add little to its warmth.
Wealth is squandered and energy wasted all for naught.
2
So, then,
when clothing is made not for the body
but for brilliant appearance,
the people will be wicked and unruly
and the ruler extravagant and deaf to good counsel.
It will be impossible to keep the country out of disorder.
天下If the rulers sincerely desire the empire to have order and hate to see it in disorder, they must not indulge in making clothing excessively.

1. 为 : Inserted. 孙诒让《墨子闲诂》
2. 也 : Inserted. 孙诒让《墨子闲诂》


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