Yen Yuan / 9
哀公问于有若曰年饥，用不足，如之何。有若对曰，盍彻乎。曰，二，吾犹不足，如之何其彻也。对曰，百姓足，君孰与不足，百姓不足，君孰与足。
Modern Chinese Guide
鲁哀公问有若说：遇上饥荒年成，国家用度不足，怎么办呢？有若回答说：为什么不实行十分抽一的田税呢？哀公说：抽十分之二，我尚且不够用，怎么能实行十分抽一呢？有若回答说：百姓富足了，国君怎么会不富足呢？百姓不富足，国君又怎么能富足呢？
James Legge Translation
1. The Duke Ai inquired of Yu Zo, saying, "The year is one of scarcity, and the returns for expenditure are not sufficient;—what is to be done?" 2. Yu Zo replied to him, "Why not simply tithe the people?" 3. "With two tenths, said the duke, "I find it not enough;—how could I do with that system of one tenth?" 4. Yu Zo answered, "If the people have plenty, their prince will not be left to want alone. If the people are in want, their prince cannot enjoy plenty alone."
Notes and themes
- 底本：Wikisource 整理的 James Legge《The Chinese Classics》公版中英文本。
- 中文由繁体转为简体，后续白话解释需逐章审校。
- 白话参考底本：《白话论语读本》，张兆瑢、沈元起编译，上海广益书局1948 年新三版。
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