召公谏厉王止谤
Duke Shao's Remonstrance to King Li against Suppressing Criticism
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厉王虐，国人谤王。King Li was tyrannical, and the people of the state slandered the king.
召公告曰：“民不堪命矣！”The Duke of Shao reported to the king, saying: "The people can no longer bear your rule!"
王怒，得卫巫，使监谤者。以告，则杀之。The king was furious and found a sorcerer from Wei to monitor those who slandered him. Whoever was reported would be killed.
国人莫敢言，道路以目。The people of the state dared not speak anymore and communicated only by exchanging glances on the road.
王喜，告召公曰：“吾能弭谤矣，乃不敢言。”The king was pleased and told Duke Shao, "I can stop the slander now. They dare not speak anymore."
召公曰：The Duke of Shao said:
“是障之也。防民之口，甚于防川。"This is merely blocking them. To prevent the people from speaking is worse than trying to prevent a river from flowing.
川壅而溃，伤人必多，民亦如之。If a river is dammed and bursts, it will surely cause many casualties; the same is true for the people.
是故为川者决之使导，为民者宣之使言。Therefore, those who manage rivers clear the blockages to allow the water to flow, and those who govern the people should encourage them to speak freely.
故天子听政，使公卿至于列士献诗，瞽献曲，史献书，师箴，瞍赋，曚诵，So when the Son of Heaven listens to political affairs, he makes dukes and ministers as well as scholars at different levels present poems, blind musicians present melodies, historians present books, tutors offer admonitions, blind singers compose ballads, partially blind reciters chant,
百工谏，庶人传语，近臣尽规，亲戚补察，瞽、史教诲，耆、艾修之。craftsmen offer advice, common people pass on words, close ministers offer thorough remonstrations, relatives make supplements and inspections, blind musicians and historians offer teachings, elders and experienced people revise them.
而后王斟酌焉，是以事行而不悖。Only then does the king consider them carefully. Thus, affairs can be carried out without going astray.
民之有口，犹土之有山川也，财用于是乎出；The people having mouths is like the earth having mountains and rivers, wealth and resources come from there.
犹其原隰之有衍沃也，衣食于是乎生。It is like the plains and fertile lands producing abundance, from which clothing and food are born.
口之宣言也，善败于是乎兴。When the mouth speaks, the rise and fall of good and bad are thus proclaimed.
行善而备败，其所以阜财用衣食者也。By doing good and preparing for failure, this is how wealth and resources, clothing, and food are increased.
夫民虑之于心而宣之于口，成而行之，胡可壅也？The people consider matters in their hearts and speak them from their mouths, then act on them—how can this be stopped?
若壅其口，其与能几何？”If you block their mouths, how long can you maintain this?" 王弗听，于是国人莫敢出言。三年，乃流王于彘。The king did not listen, and thus no one in the state dared to speak out. After three years, the king was exiled to the place called Zhu.
