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PT. II. Sect. III. THE WRITINGS OF KWANG-BZE.
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to measure their wares), even by means of those pecks and bushels should we be teaching them to steal"; if we make for them weights and steelyards to weigh (their wares), even by means of those weights and steelyards shall we be teaching them to steal. If we make for them tallies and seals to secure their good faith, even by means of those tallies and seals shall we be teaching them to steal. If we make for them benevolence and righteousness to make their doings correct, even by means of benevolence and righteousness shall we be teaching them to steal. How do I know that it is so ? Here is one who steals a hook (for his girdle);—he is put to death for it: here is another who steals a state ;-he becomes its prince. But it is at the gates of the princes that we find benevolence and righteousness (most strongly) professed ;—is not this stealing benevolence and righteousness, sageness and wisdom ? Thus they hasten to become great robbers, carry off princedoms, and steal benevolence and righteousness, with all the gains springing from the use of pecks and bushels, weights and steelyards, tallies and seals :-even the rewards of carriages and coronets have no power to influence (to a different course), and the terrors of the axe have no power to restrain in such cases. The giving of so great gain to robbers (like) Kih, and making it impossible to restrain them ;—this is the error committed by the sages.
3. In accordance with this it is said, 'Fish should
1 The verb 'to steal' is here used transitively, and with a hiphil force.
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| SR No. | 007682 |
| Book Title | Questions of King Milinda Part 02 |
| Original Sutra Author | N/A |
| Author | T W Rhys Davids |
| Publisher | Oxford |
| Publication Year | 1894 |
| Total Pages | 2240 |
| Language | English |
| Classification | Book_English |
| File Size | 38 MB |