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Mohism -> Mozi -> Book 3 -> Identification with the Superior II -> 8

天下People might then ask:
At the present time
便
1
便
2
天下天下 rulers are not absent from the empire,
天下?” why then is there disorder in the empire?
墨子 Mozi said:
The political leaders of the present day
are quite different from those of old.
The case is parallel to that of the Five Punishments with the Prince of Miao.
In ancient times, the sage-kings made the code of the Five Punishments
天下 and put the empire in order.
But when the Prince of Miao established the Five Punishments
天下 they unsettled his empire.
Can it be that the Punishments are at fault?
Really the fault lies in their application.
The "Penal Code of Lu" among the books of the ancient kings, says:
"Among the people of Miao punishments were applied without employing instruction and admonition.
They made a code of five tortures
。’ and called it law."
This is to say, those who know how to apply punishments can govern the people with them.
And those who do not know, make five tortures out of them.
Can it be that the punishments are at fault?
Only, when their application is not to the point
do they become five tortures.
And, also, "Shu Ling", among the books of the ancient kings, says:
。’ "The same mouth can produce friendship or produce war."
This is to say that he who can use the mouth well will produce friendship, and he who cannot will stir up the enemies and the besieging barbarians.
Can it be that the mouth is at fault?
The fault really lies in its use
which stirs up the enemies and the besieging barbarians.

1. 天鬼之福可得也。万民之所便利而能强从事焉,则万民之亲可得也。其为政若此,是以谋事,举事成,入守固, : Moved to entry 7. 孙诒让《墨子闲诂》
2. 上者天鬼有厚乎其为政长也,下者万民有便利乎其为政长也。天鬼之所深厚而强从事焉,则 : Moved to entry 7. 孙诒让《墨子闲诂》


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