| | 尚同中: |
今王公大人之為刑政則反此。政以為便譬，宗於父兄故舊，以為左右，置以為正長。民知上置正長之非正以治民也，是以皆比周隱匿，而莫肯尚同其上。是故上下不同義。若苟上下不同義，賞譽不足以勸善，而刑罰不足以沮暴。何以知其然也？ |
| Identification with the Superior...: |
The lords at the present, however, do just the reverse. Administration is carried on to court flattery. Fathers and brothers and other relatives and friends are placed at the right and left and appointed rulers of the people. Knowing that the superior appointed the rulers not for the welfare of the people, the people all kept aloof and would not identify themselves with the superior. Therefore purposes of the superior and the subordinates are not unified. This being so, rewards and commendations would not encourage the people to do good, and punishments and fines would not restrain them from doing evil. How do we know this would be so? |
| | 尚同中: |
曰：上唯毋立而為政乎國家，為民正長，曰：「人可賞吾，將賞之。」若苟上下不同義，上之所賞，則眾之所非，曰人眾與處，於眾得非。則是雖使得上之賞，未足以勸乎！上唯毋立而為政乎國家，為民正長，曰：「人可罰，吾將罰之。」若苟上下不同義，上之所罰，則眾之所譽。曰人眾與處，於眾得譽，則是雖使得上之罰，未足以沮乎！若立而為政乎國家，為民正長，賞譽不足以勸善，而刑罰不可以沮暴，則是不與鄉吾本言「民始生未有正長之時」同乎！若有正長與無正長之時同，則此非所以治民一眾之道。 |
| Identification with the Superior...: |
In governing the country, the ruler proclaims "Whoever deserves reward I will reward." Suppose the purposes of the superior and the subordinates are different,whoever is rewarded by the superior would be condemned by the public. And in community life the condemnation of the public is supreme. Though there is reward from the superior, it will not be an encouragement. In governing the country, again, the ruler proclaims: "Whoever deserves punishment I will punish." Suppose the purposes of the superior and the subordinates are different, whoever is punished by the superior would be applauded by the public. And in community life the approval of the public is supreme. Though there is punishment from the superior, it will not be an obstruction. Now, in governing the country and ruling the people, if rewards cannot encourage the people to do good and punishments cannot restrain them from doing evil, is this not just the same as in the beginning of human life when there were no rulers? If it is the same with rulers or without them, it is not the way to govern the people and unify the multitude. |
