Gems of Chinese Literature/Mêng Tzŭ-Separation of Sexes
A philosopher asked Mencius, saying, “That men and women, in giving and receiving, shall not touch hands, is such the rule of propriety?” “It is,” replied Mencius. “But supposing,” said the philosopher, “that a sister-in-law was drowning, should a man not give her a hand and pull her out?” “A man,” answered Mencius, “who could see his sister-in-law drown and not give her his hand, would be a wolfish brute. That men and women, in giving and receiving, do not touch hands, is a rule of propriety; but when a sister-in-law is drowning, to give her a hand and pull her out comes under the head of exceptions to the rule.” “Just now,” retorted the philosopher, “the empire is drowning; why do you not pull it out?” “The drowning empire,” replied Mencius, “must be saved by the eternal principles of Right; a drowning sister-in-law by the hand. Would you have me save the empire by my hand?”