是以春秋先京師而後諸夏，先諸華而後夷、狄。
When the people, who are the roots of the state, have yet to be treated liberally, they cannot be used to put branches and foliage in order.
That is why the Spring and Autumn Annals puts the affairs of the [Lu] capital first and only afterwards deals with the various Xia states, and why it deals with the Xia states before proceeding to the Yi and Di tribes.
及周惠王，以遭亂世，繼先王之體，而強楚稱王，諸侯背叛。
By the time of King Hui of Zhou, the realm was already in disorder.
欲申先王之命，一統天下，不先廣養京師以及諸夏，諸夏以及夷狄，內治未得，忿則不料力，權得失，興兵而征強楚，師大敗，撙辱不行，大為天下戮笑。
He wished to continue the forms and practices of his predecessors, but the powerful state of Chu had claimed royal status, and the territorial lords were in a state of rebellion. He wished to carry on the mandate of his predecessors and unify the realm, but he failed to nourish the capital region extensively before proceeding to the territorial lords and to secure the lords before proceeding to the Yi and the Di.
Before he had obtained internal order, he yielded to a moment’s anger, failed to take stock of his own strength, failed to weigh the potential for gain or loss, raised an army, and attacked mighty Chu.
幸逄齊桓公，以得安尊。
When his forces were disastrously defeated, he suffered disgrace and achieved nothing, which made him the laughingstock of the entire realm.
故內治未得，不可以正外；本惠未襲，不可以制末。
Fortunately, the appearance of Lord Huan of Qi enabled him to regain peace and respect.
Thus, it is said that, “when the roots have not yet been liberally nourished with favor, they cannot be relied on to put branches and foliage in order.