论语古文今英译

百姓足君孰与不足

（颜渊篇12.09）

    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？”

【今译】

    鲁哀公问有若说：“遭了饥荒，国家用度困难，怎么办？”有若回答说：“为什么不实行彻法，只抽十分之一的田税呢？”哀公说：“现在抽十分之二，我还不够，怎么能实行彻法呢？”有若说：“如果百姓的用度够，您怎么会不够呢？如果百姓的用度不够，您怎么又会够呢？”

【英译】

    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?"Yu Zo replied to him, "Why not simply tithe the people?""With two tenths, said the duke, "I find it not enough;-how could I do with that system of one tenth?"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."

（江湖侠客吴仲湛 编辑）