』齊景公問政於夫子，夫子曰：『政在於節用。
』138三君問政於夫子，夫子應之不同，然則政有異乎？
Am I to understand, then, that there are differences in government?” “Chu’s territory, let us note,” said Kongzi, “is extensive and its capital constricted, and because of this its people tend to have independent aims; I therefore said that government consists of securing the allegiance of those nearby and attracting those who live far off.
」孔子曰：「夫荊之地廣而都狹，民有離志焉，故曰在於附近而來遠。
哀公有臣三人，內比周以惑其君，外鄣距諸侯賓客，以蔽其明，故曰政在諭臣。
Lord Ai has three officers who, in internal affairs, collude with each other so as to deceive their ruler and who, in external affairs, place barriers against visitors from other states so as to occlude their ruler’s vision; thus, I said that government consists of the right selection of officers.
齊景公奢於臺榭，淫於苑囿，五官之樂不解，一旦而賜人百乘之家者三，故曰政在於節用。
此三者，政也。
詩不云乎？
Lord Jing of Qi is madly devoted to pavilions and dotes on hunting parks; he never puts aside the pleasures of the five senses and has thrice bestowed one-hundred-chariot entourages upon his favorites; hence, I said that government consists of economy in expenditure.
『亂離斯瘼，爰其適歸。
』此傷離散以為亂者也。
These three replies all address the essential nature of government.
『匪其止共，惟王之邛。
』此傷姦臣蔽主以為亂者也。
Is there not a passage in the Odes that goes, ‘How great is the pain of this separation, / To what place can we return?’23 This expresses sorrow at the disorder caused by division. ‘He is not fit for his office, / Yet says the fault is all his ruler’s.’24 This expresses pain at the disorder caused by conniving officers. ‘Amid loss and disorder there are no provisions, / And still he bestows nothing on our multitudes.’25 This expresses sorrow at the disorder that arises from unrestrained extravagance.
『相亂蔑資，曾莫惠我師。
』此傷奢侈不節以為亂者也。
察此三者之所欲，政其同乎哉！」
In light of the wishes expressed in these three situations, can the approach to government be everywhere the same?