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Chinese Text Project
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Scope: Reform of the Law Request type: Paragraph
Condition 1: Contains text "民不可與慮始而可與樂成" Matched:1.
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更法 - Reform of the Law

English translation: J. J. L. Duyvendak [?]
Books referencing 《更法》 Library Resources
3 更法:
公孫鞅曰:「臣聞之,『疑行無成,疑事無功,』君亟定變法之慮,殆無顧天下之議之也。且夫有高人之行者,固見負於世;有獨知之慮者,必見訾於民。語曰:『愚者闇於成事,知者見於未萌。民不可與慮始,而可與樂成。』郭偃之法曰:『論至德者,不和於俗;成大功者,不謀於眾。』法者,所以愛民也;禮者,所以便事也。是以聖人苟可以強國,不法其故;苟可以利民,不循其禮。」
Reform of the Law:
Gong sun Yang said: "I have heard it said that he who hesitates in action, does not accomplish anything, and that he who hesitates in affairs, gains no merit. Let Your Highness settle Your thoughts quickly about altering the laws and perhaps not heed the criticism of the empire. Moreover, he who conducts himself as an outstanding man is, as a matter of course, disapproved of by the world; he who has thoughts of independent knowledge is certainly despised by the world. The saying runs: 'The stupid do not even understand an affair when it has been completed, but the wise see it even before it has sprouted.' One cannot let the people share in the thoughts about the beginnings of an affair, but they should be allowed to share in the rejoicings over the completion of it. The law of Guo Yan says: 'He who is concerned about the highest virtue is not in harmony with popular ideas; he who accomplishes a great work, does not take counsel with the multitude.' The law is an expression of love for the people; rites are a means for making things run smoothly. Therefore a sage, if he is able to strengthen the state thereby, does not model himself on antiquity, and if he is able to benefit the people thereby, does not adhere to the established rites."

Total 1 paragraphs. Page 1 of 1.