聽獄

聽獄

1. (literary) to hear lawsuits

   • 余聽獄雖不能察，必以情斷之。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]
     余听狱虽不能察，必以情断之。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]

     From: Guoyu, circa 4^th century BCE

     Yú tīngyù suī bùnéng chá, bì yǐ qíng duàn zhī.

     Although I cannot examine the cases one by one when hearing lawsuits, I shall judge them according to the true states of affairs.

   • 賢者之治國者也，蚤朝晏退，聽獄治政，是以國家治而刑法正。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]
     贤者之治国者也，蚤朝晏退，听狱治政，是以国家治而刑法正。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]

     From: Mozi, c. 4^th century BCE, translated based on Y. P. Mei's version

     Xiánzhě zhī zhìguózhě yě, zǎocháoyàntuì, tīngyù zhìzhèng, shì yǐ guójiā zhì ér xíngfǎ zhèng.

     When the virtuous rules the country, he starts the day early and retires late, hearing lawsuits and attending to the government. As a result, the country is well governed and laws are justly administered.

   • 天子賞罰不當，聽獄不中，天下疾病禍福，霜露不時。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]
     天子赏罚不当，听狱不中，天下疾病祸福，霜露不时。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]

     From: Mozi, c. 4^th century BCE, translated based on Y. P. Mei's version

     Tiānzǐ shǎngfá bù dàng, tīngyù bù zhòng, tiānxià jíbìng huòfú, shuānglù bù shí.

     When the emperor is unjust in reward and punishment and not judicious in hearing lawsuits, Heaven visits him with disease and calamities, and frost and dew will be untimely.