寡人之行，豈避堯舜哉？
“In former days,” replied Lord Huan, “when I laid siege to Tan for three years, I took the state but did not keep it for myself; that showed my grasp of the inner natures of others (ren 仁).
When I went north and attacked Guzhu, I wiped out the state of Lingzhi and returned; that showed my military ability.
」鮑叔曰：「敢問君之行？
I convened the conference at Kuiqiu so that the armies of the realm might be given rest; that showed my mastery of civil affairs.
Among the territorial lords, nine came paying court to me bearing gifts of fine jade, but I did not keep them; that showed my sense of what is right.
」桓公曰：「昔者，吾圍譚三年，得而不自與者，仁也；吾北伐孤竹，剗令支而反者，武也；吾為葵丘之會，以偃天下之兵者，文也；諸侯抱美玉而朝者九，國寡人不受者，義也；然則文武仁義，寡人盡有之矣，寡人之行，豈避堯舜哉？」
I can thus lay claim to all four attributes: mastery of civil affairs, military ability, grasp of the natures of others, and a sense of right.
How can my actions be said to be less admirable than those of Yao and Shun?