说苑/齊景公問於孔子曰：「秦穆公其國小處僻而霸，何也？

齊景公問於孔子曰：「秦穆公其國小處僻而霸，何也？

Eric Henry

Lord Jing of Qi once said to Kongzi, “Lord Mu of Qin had only a small, remotely situated state, yet he came to be a leader of the lords—how did that happen?” “His state was small,” replied Kongzi, “but his aims were great; though he was remotely situated, his administration was well centered.

」對曰：「其國雖小，而其志大，處雖僻而其政中，其舉果，其謀和，其令不偷，親舉五羖大夫於係縲之中，與之語，三日而授之政。

Eric Henry

His actions were decisive, his schemes well matched, and his orders not based on momentary expedience.

以此取之，雖王可也，霸則小矣。」

Eric Henry

He personally raised the officer of the five sheepskins79 from a state of bondage and held conversation with him, and after three days entrusted him with the conduct of state affairs.

Eric Henry

Judging from this, he was worthy to be a king—to be a chief of the lords was too slight a role for him.