」入其都,曰:「嘻!
力屈哉國乎!
」立其朝,曰:「嘻!
“When I entered the state borders, I saw untended wheat amid towering weeds; from this I knew that the state’s policies were violent.
亂哉國乎!
」從者曰:「夫子之入晉境未久也,何其名之不疑也?
」延陵季子曰:「然。
When I entered the capital, I saw that the new structures were of mean appearance, whereas the old ones were beautiful, and that the new walls were low in comparison to the old; from this I knew that the people’s strength was enfeebled.
吾入其境,田畝荒穢而不休,雜增崇高,吾是以知其國之暴也。
吾入其都,新室惡而故室美,新牆卑而故牆高,吾是以知其民力之屈也。
吾立其朝,君能視而不下問,其臣善伐而不上諫,吾是以知其國之亂也。」
On standing in court, I saw that the ruler was able to gaze at people but did not ask questions of those under him and that his officers were good at argument but did not admonish their superiors; from this I knew that the state’s affairs were in disorder.” Tai-gong Wang Contrasted with Bo Qin