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Daoism -> Zhuangzi -> Inner Chapters -> Man in the World, Associated with other Men -> 3

叶公子高将使于齐，Zi Gao, duke of She, being about to proceed on a mission to Qi,
问于仲尼曰：asked Zhongni, saying,
“王使诸梁也甚重，The king is sending me, Zhu Liang, on a mission which is very important.
齐之待使者，盖将甚敬而不急。Qi will probably treat me as his commissioner with great respect, but it will not be in a hurry (to attend to the business).
匹夫犹未可动， Even an ordinary man cannot be readily moved (to action),
而况诸侯乎！ and how much less the prince of a state!
吾甚栗之。I am very full of apprehension.
子常语诸梁也，曰：You, Sir, once said to me
‘凡事若小若大，that of all things, great or small,
寡不道以欢成。there were few which, if not conducted in the proper way, could be brought to a happy conclusion;
事若不成，that, if the thing were not successful,
则必有人道之患； there was sure to be the evil of being dealt with after the manner of men;
事若成，that, if it were successful,
则必有阴阳之患。 there was sure to be the evil of constant anxiety;
若成若不成而后无患者，唯有德者能之。’and that, whether it succeeded or not, it was only the virtuous man who could secure its not being followed by evil.
吾食也，In my diet
执粗而不臧，I take what is coarse, and do not seek delicacies
爨无欲清之人。 - a man whose cookery does not require him to be using cooling drinks.
今吾朝受命而夕饮冰，This morning I received my charge, and in the evening I am drinking iced water;
我其内热与！ am I not feeling the internal heat (and discomfort)?
吾未至乎事之情， Such is my state before I have actually engaged in the affair;
而既有阴阳之患矣； I am already suffering from conflicting anxieties.
事若不成， And if the thing do not succeed,
必有人道之患。 (the king) is sure to deal with me after the manner of men.
是两也， The evil is twofold;
为人臣者不足以任之，as a minister, I am not able to bear the burden (of the mission).
子其有以语我来！”Can you, Sir, tell me something (to help me in the case)?'
仲尼曰：Zhongni replied,
“天下有大戒二： 'In all things under heaven there are two great cautionary considerations:
其一，命也； the one is the requirement implanted (in the nature);
其一，义也。 the other is the conviction of what is right.
子之爱亲，The love of a son for his parents
命也， is the implanted requirement,
不可解于心； and can never be separated from his heart;
臣之事君，the service of his ruler by a minister
义也， is what is right,
无适而非君也，无所逃于天地之间。 and from its obligation there is no escaping anywhere between heaven and earth.
是之谓大戒。These are what are called the great cautionary considerations.
是以夫事其亲者，不择地而安之，Therefore a son finds his rest in serving his parents without reference to or choice of place;
孝之至也； and this is the height of filial duty.
夫事其君者，In the same way a subject finds his rest in serving his ruler,
不择事而安之， without reference to or choice of the business;
忠之盛也； and this is the fullest discharge of loyalty.
自事其心者， When men are simply obeying (the dictates of) their hearts,
哀乐不易施乎前， the considerations of grief and joy are not readily set before them.
知其不可奈何而安之若命，They know that there is no alternative to their acting as they do, and rest in it as what is appointed;
德之至也。 and this is the highest achievement of virtue.
为人臣子者，He who is in the position of a minister or of a son
固有所不得已， has indeed to do what he cannot but do.
行事之情而忘其身，Occupied with the details of the business (in hand), and forgetful of his own person,
何暇至于悦生而恶死！ what leisure has he to think of his pleasure in living or his dislike of death?
夫子其行可矣！You, my master, may well proceed on your mission.
丘请复以所闻： But let me repeat to you what I have heard:
凡交， In all intercourse (between states),
近则必相靡以信，if they are near to each other, there should be mutual friendliness, verified by deeds;
远则必忠之以言，if they are far apart, there must be sincere adherence to truth in their messages.
言必或传之。 Those messages will be transmitted by internuncios.
夫传两喜两怒之言，But to convey messages which express the complacence or the dissatisfaction of the two parties
天下之难者也。 is the most difficult thing in the world.
夫两喜必多溢美之言，If they be those of mutual complacence, there is sure to be an overflow of expressions of satisfaction;
两怒必多溢恶之言。if of mutual dissatisfaction, an overflow of expressions of dislike.
凡溢之类妄， But all extravagance leads to reckless language,
妄则其信之也莫， and such language fails to command belief.
莫则传言者殃。When this distrust arises, woe to the internuncio!
故法言曰： Hence the Rules for Speech say,
‘传其常情， "Transmit the message exactly as it stands;
无传其溢言， do not transmit it with any overflow of language;
则几乎全。’ so is (the internuncio) likely to keep himself whole."
且以巧斗力者，Moreover, skilful wrestlers
始乎阳， begin with open trials of strength,
常卒乎阴， but always end with masked attempts (to gain the victory);
大至则多奇巧；as their excitement grows excessive, they display much wonderful dexterity.
以礼饮酒者，Parties drinking according to the rules
始乎治， at first observe good order,
常卒乎乱， but always end with disorder;
大至则多奇乐。as their excitement grows excessive, their fun becomes uproarious.
凡事亦然。In all things it is so.
始乎谅， People are at first sincere,
常卒乎鄙； but always end with becoming rude;
其作始也简， at the commencement things are treated as trivial,
其将毕也必巨。but as the end draws near, they assume great proportions.
夫言者，风波也； Words are (like) the waves acted on by the wind;
行者，实丧也。 the real point of the matters (discussed by them) is lost.
风波易以动， The wind and waves are easily set in motion;
实丧易以危。 the success of the matter of which the real point is lost is easily put in peril.
故忿设无由，巧言偏辞。Hence quarrels are occasioned by nothing so much as by artful words and one-sided speeches.
兽死不择音，The breath comes angrily, as when a beast, driven to death,
气息茀然， wildly bellows forth its rage.
于是并生心厉。 On this animosities arise on both sides.
克核大至， Hasty examination (of the case) eagerly proceeds,
则必有不肖之心应之， and revengeful thoughts arise in their minds;
而不知其然也。 they do not know how.
苟为不知其然也， Since they do not know how such thoughts arise,
孰知其所终！ who knows how they will end?
故法言曰： Hence the Rules for Speech say,
‘无迁令， "Let not an internuncius depart from his instructions.
无劝成。’ Let him not urge on a settlement.
过度， If he go beyond the regular rules,
益也。 he will complicate matters.
迁令、劝成殆事， Departing from his instructions and urging on a settlement imperils negotiations.
美成在久， A good settlement is proved by its lasting long,
恶成不及改，and a bad settlement cannot be altered
可不慎与！ - ought he not to be careful?"
且夫乘物以游心，Further still, let your mind find its enjoyment in the circumstances of your position;
托不得已以养中，nourish the central course which you pursue, by a reference to your unavoidable obligations.
至矣。 This is the highest object for you to pursue;
何作为报也！ what else can you do to fulfil the charge (of your father and ruler).
莫若为致命。 The best thing you can do is to be prepared to sacrifice your life;
此其难者。” and this is the most difficult thing to do.'

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