管子语录 汉英双解

【原文】先爱四封之内，然后可以恶竟外之不善者；先定卿大夫之家，然后可以危邻之敌国。是故先王必有置也，然后有废也；必有利也，然后有害也。《小问》

【汉解】先爱国内，然后才可以憎恶国外的不善者；先安定卿大夫之“家”，然后才可以加害相邻的敌国。因此，先代明王一定要先有所立，然后才有所废；一定是先做兴利的事，然后才去做除害的事。

【英译】First, extend your love to everyone within your four boundaries. Then afterward you can exact your hatred against those evil persons who live outside your borders. First, stabilize the families of your minister of state and great officers. Then afterward you may threaten neighboring enemy countries. It was for this reason that the former kings were certain to set something up before they proceeded to tear anything down. It was also for this reason that they were certain to do something beneficial before proceeding to do harm.