2. 孟子的名句 - 人之初性本善（中英）

孟子的名句 -  人之初性本善
1. The tendency of mans nature to good is like the tendency of water to flow downward.
2. It is true that water will flow indifferently to east and west, but will it flow equally well up and down? Human nature is disposed toward goodness, just as water tends to flow downwards. There is no water but flows downwards, and no man but shows his tendency to be good. Now, by striking water hard, you may splash it higher than your forehead, and by damming it, you may make it go uphill. But, is that the nature of water? It is external force that causes it to do so. Likewise, if a man is made to do what is not good, his nature is being similarly forced.
3. Human nature is good, just as water seeks low ground. There is no man who is not good, just as there is no water that does not flow downward.
4.  If you let people follow their feelings, they will be able to do good. This is what is meant by saying that human nature is good.
5. Human nature is disposed to do good.