Listen to this articlemínɡ fèn shǐ qún 明分使群
Proper Ranking Leads to Collaboration.
明确个人的职分差等以组成能够相互协作的群体。荀子将“能群”看作是人区别于禽兽的重要特征。而人在没有约束的情况下，会出于自身对外物的欲求，与人争夺，进而导致群体的混乱。因此，在群体之中必须依据道义的原则，明确个人分位的差等以及与之相应的职责、权益，并以此作为人与人相处的规范，从而约束彼此间的纷争，实现相互协作。
Group collaboration is possible only when the individuals within it are clearly ranked and there is a social order. For Xunzi, the ability to “work together” is what distinguishes humans from animals. Without social restraints, humans will follow their innate desires and fight over things, causing disruption within the group. That is why there must be appropriate rules for people of different ranks, with clear rights and responsibilities to guide proper conduct, which will limit discord and build collaboration.
引例 Citations：
◎力不若牛，走不若马，而牛马为用，何也？曰：人能群，彼不能群也。人何以能群？曰：分。分何以能行？曰：义。故义以分则和，和则一，一则多力，多力则强，强则胜物。（《荀子·王制》）
（人的力量不如牛，奔跑的能力不如马，但牛马却被人驱使，是什么原因呢？回答道：因为人能够组成分工协作的群体，那些牛马不能。人依据什么能够组成分工协作的群体？回答道：依靠名分差等。名分差等依据什么能够施行？回答道：依据道义。因此依据道义来区分差等则能够彼此和谐，和谐则能统一，统一则能凝聚力量，凝聚力量则强大，强大则胜过万物。）
Man is not as strong as the ox, and cannot run as fast as the horse. Yet man is able to use them both. How is this possible? Answer: humans can work together, while animals cannot. How is it people can work together? Answer: by having different ranks and positions. How do the ranks and positions operate? Answer: by applying correct rules of conduct. By applying these rules there can be harmony, with harmony there is unity, with unity there is strength, with strength everything can be overcome. (Xunzi)
◎离居不相待则穷，群而无分则争。穷者患也，争者祸也，救患除祸，则莫若明分使群矣。（《荀子·富国》）
（离开群体独处而不相互依靠，则会穷困；居处在一起而没有分位差等，则会相互争夺。穷苦和争夺都是祸患，而要解救、免除祸患，没有什么比得上明分使群。）
Living alone without group support leads to poverty; living together without appropriate ranking causes disputes. Poverty and disputes are all disastrous. The best way to solve these problems is to establish different ranks, which makes collaboration possible. (Xunzi)
