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曾申谓子思曰：“屈己以伸道乎？抗志以贫贱乎？”子思曰：“道伸、吾所愿也。今天下王侯其孰能哉！与屈己以富贵，不若抗志以贫贱。屈己则制于人，抗志则不愧于道。” |
| | Zeng Shen said to Zisi, "Should one humble oneself to promote the Way?" "Or should one uphold one's aspirations despite poverty and low status?" Zisi said, "The promotion of the Way is what I desire." "But in today's world, which kings or marquises are capable of doing so!" To humble oneself for wealth and noble rank is less desirable than to uphold one's aspirations in poverty and low status. "To humble oneself means being controlled by others, whereas upholding one's aspirations means not feeling ashamed before the Way."
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子思居卫。卫人钓于河，得鳏鱼焉，其大盈车。子思问之，曰：“鳏鱼、鱼之难得者也。子如何得之？”对曰：“吾始下钓，垂一鲂之饵，鳏过而弗视也。更以豚之半体，则吞之矣。”子思喟然曰：“鳏虽难得，贪以死饵；士虽怀道，贪以死禄矣。” |
| | Zisi lived in Wei. A native of Wei fished in the river and caught a guan fish, which was so large that it filled a cart. Zisi asked about it and said, "The guan fish is one of the rarest kinds of fish." "How did you manage to catch it?" The man replied, "At first I cast my line with a minnow as bait, but the guan fish passed by without noticing it." "I then used half of a pig's body as bait, and it swallowed it." Zisi sighed and said, "Although the guan fish is rare, its greed led to death for the sake of bait;" "a scholar may possess the Way, but his greed will lead him to die for the sake of official salary."
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子思居卫。鲁穆公卒，县子使乎卫，闻丧而服，谓子思曰：“子虽未臣，鲁父母之国也，先君宗庙在焉，柰何弗服？”子思曰：“吾岂爱乎？礼不得也。”县子曰：“请闻之。”答曰：“臣而去国，君不扫其宗庙，则不为之服。寓乎是国，而为国服。吾既无列于鲁而祭在卫，吾何服哉！是寄臣而服所寄之君，则旧君无服。明不二君之义也。”县子曰：“善哉！我未之思也。” |
| | Zisi lived in Wei. When the Duke Mu of Lu died, Xuan Zi was sent to Wei. Upon hearing of the death, he mourned and said to Zisi, "Although you were not a subject, Lu is like your parents' native land; the ancestral temples of our late ruler are there. How can you not observe mourning rites?" Zisi said, "How could I possibly be unwilling?" "It is simply that the rites do not permit it." Xuan Zi said, "Please explain to me." He replied, "If a subject leaves his country and the ruler does not clean the ancestral temple, then he should not observe mourning rites for it." "To reside in another state yet mourn for its state affairs," "Since I hold no official position in Lu and my ancestral rites are conducted in Wei, what mourning rites should I observe!" If a subject residing elsewhere observes mourning rites for the ruler of that place, then he need not mourn for his former ruler. "This clarifies the principle that one should not serve two rulers." Xuan Zi said, "Well said!" "I had not considered this before."
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卫君言计非是，而群臣和者如出一口。子思曰：“以吾观卫，所谓君不君、臣不臣者也。”公丘懿子曰：“何乃若是？”子思曰：“人主自臧，则众谋不进事。是而臧之，犹却众谋，况和非以长恶乎！夫不察事之是非，而悦人之赞己，暗莫甚焉。不度理之所在，而阿谀求容，谄莫甚焉。君暗臣谄，以居百姓之上，民弗与也。若此不已，国无类矣。” |
| | The ruler of Wei proposed a plan that was clearly wrong, yet all his ministers agreed with one voice. Zisi said, "In my view of Wei, this is what is meant by a ruler who is not a proper ruler and ministers who are not proper ministers." Gongqiu Yizi said, "How could it be as bad as that?" Zisi said, "When a ruler is self-willed and conceited, then the plans of his subjects will not be put forward." If he accepts what is correct as if it were self-willed, this still rejects the counsel of others; how much more so when they agree with what is wrong and thus foster evil! "He who does not discern right from wrong in matters, yet takes pleasure in others praising himself, could be no more ignorant." He who does not consider where reason lies and flatters merely to seek favor is no more fawning. "When a ruler is ignorant and his ministers are sycophants, ruling over the people above them, the populace will not support them." "If this continues without change, the state will have no future at all."
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子思谓卫君曰：“君之国事将日非矣。”君曰：“何故？”荅曰：“有由然焉。君出言皆自以为是，而卿大夫莫敢矫其非。卿大夫出言亦皆自以为是，而士庶人莫敢矫其非。君臣既自贤矣，而群下同声贤之。贤之则顺而有福，矫之则逆而有祸。故使如此。如此则善安从生？《诗》云：‘具曰予圣，谁知乌之雌雄。’抑亦似卫之君臣乎？” |
| | Zisi said to the ruler of Wei, "The affairs of your state will grow increasingly wrong each day." The ruler asked, "Why is that?" He replied, "There are reasons for this." "When the ruler speaks, he always considers his words to be correct, yet none of the qing and daifu dare to point out his errors." "When the qing and daifu speak, they also consider their words correct, yet none of the scholars or common people dare to point out their errors." "Now that rulers and ministers have all considered themselves virtuous, those beneath them echo this praise in unison." "To praise their virtue is to be compliant and thus blessed; to correct it is to go against the current and invite misfortune." "Therefore, this situation arises." "With such a state of affairs, how can goodness arise?" The "Shi Jing" says: 'All say I am sage; who knows the difference between a male and female crow?' "This is not also similar to your ruler and ministers in Wei?"
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卫君问子思曰：“寡人之政何如？”荅曰：“无非。”君曰：“寡人不知其不肖，亦望其如此也。”子思曰：“希旨容媚，则君亲之；中正弼非，则君疏之。夫能使人富贵贫贱者、君也。在朝之士孰肯舍所以见亲而取其所以见䟽乎？是故竞求射君之心而莫有非君之非者。此臣所以无非也。”公曰：“然乎！寡人之过也。今知改矣。”荅曰：“君弗能焉。口顺而心不怿者、临其事必疣。君虽有命，臣未敢受也。” |
| | The ruler of Wei asked Zisi, "How would you rate my administration?" He replied, "There is nothing right about it." The ruler said, "I did not know I was unworthy; yet I had hoped for no more than this." Zisi said, "Those who flatter and please the ruler's desires will be favored by him;" "those who are upright and correct his faults will be distanced by him." "The one who can make people rich, noble, poor, or lowly is the ruler." "Which scholar in court would be willing to abandon what gains favor and instead choose what invites distance?" "Therefore, all compete to please the ruler's heart, yet none dare to criticize his faults." "This is why I say there is nothing right about your ministers." The ruler said, "Is that so!" "This is my fault." "Now I know how to correct it." He replied, "Your Majesty will not be able to do so." "Those who speak in agreement but whose hearts are not convinced will surely falter when faced with actual matters." "Although the ruler issues an order, I dare not accept it."
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司徒文子改葬，其叔父问服于子思。子思曰：“礼、父母改葬，缌。既葬而除，不忍无服送至亲也。非父母无服，无服则吊服而加麻。”文子曰：“丧服既除，然后乃葬，则其服何服？”荅曰：“三年之丧，未葬服不变，除何有焉。期大功之丧，服其所除之服以葬。既葬而除之，其虞也，吉服以行事也。” |
| | Situ Wenzǐ decided to re-bury his father. His uncle asked Zisi about the mourning rites he should observe. Zisi said, "According to ritual, if parents are reburied, one observes the si mourning rite." After the burial, the mourning is lifted; this is out of unwillingness not to observe rites for a close relative. "For those who are not one's parents, no mourning rite is observed; in such cases, wear the regular mourning clothes and add hemp." Wenzi asked, "If the mourning rites have already been lifted, and only then is the burial conducted, what rite should be observed?" He replied, "For a three-year mourning period, rites remain unchanged until after burial; how could there then be any lifting of the rite?" "For a one-year or major mourning rite, observe the rites that have already been lifted when conducting the burial." "After the burial, lift the mourning. The yu ceremony is conducted in regular attire for the occasion."
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公叔木谓申祥曰：“吾于子思，亲而敬之。子思未吾察也。”申祥以告曰：“人求亲敬于子，子何辱焉？”子思荅曰：“义也。”申祥曰：“请闻之。”荅曰：“公叔氏之子爱人之同己，慢而不知贤。夫其亲敬，非心见吾所可亲敬也，则亦以人口而䟽慢吾矣。”申祥曰：“其不知贤柰何？”荅曰：“有龙穆者徒好饰弄辞说，观于坐席，相人眉睫以为之意，天下之浅人也，而公叔子交之。桥子良修实而不修名，为善不为人之知己，不撞不发，如大锺然，天下之深人也，而公叔子与之同邑而弗能知。此其所以为爱同己而不知贤也。” |
| | Gongshu Mu said to Shen Xiang, "Regarding Zisi, I treat him with both affection and respect." "I have not yet observed his true character closely enough." Shen Xiang relayed this and said, "Someone seeks affection and respect from you; how is it an insult?" Zisi replied, "It is a matter of righteousness." Shen Xiang said, "Please explain it to me." He replied, "The son of the Gongshu family loves those who are like himself, is arrogant and does not recognize virtue." "If his affection and respect are not from the heart but merely because others have spoken of me, then he is also using hearsay to treat me with indifference." Shen Xiang asked, "What if he does not recognize virtue?" He replied, "There is a man named Long Mu who merely likes to embellish and play with words. He observes people at banquets, guessing their intentions by looking at the movements of their eyebrows and eyelashes; he is one of the shallowest men in the world, yet your master associates with him." Qiao Ziliang cultivates substance rather than reputation, does good deeds not for others to know about them, and remains silent unless provoked—like a great bell that only sounds when struck; he is one of the most profound men in the world. Yet your master shares his native land with him but fails to recognize him." "This is why he loves those like himself and does not know virtue."
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子思自齐反卫，卫君馆而问曰：“先生、鲁国之士，然不以卫之褊小，犹步玉趾而慰存之，愿有赐于寡人也。”子思曰：“臣羁旅于此，而辱君之威尊，亟临荜门，其荣多矣。欲报君以财币，则君之府藏已盈，而伋又贫。欲报君以善言，恐未合君志，而徒言不听也。顾未有可以报君者，唯达贤尔。”卫君曰：“贤、则固寡人之所愿也。”子思曰：“未审君之愿将何以为？”君曰：“必用以治政。”子思曰：“君弗能也。”君曰：“何故？”荅曰：“卫国非无贤才之士，而君未有善政。是贤才不见用故也。”君曰：“虽然，愿闻先生所以为贤者。”荅曰：“君将以名取士耶？以实取士耶？”君曰：“必以实。”子思曰：“卫之东境有李音者，贤而有实者也。”君曰：“其父、祖何也？”荅曰：“世农夫也。”卫君乃卢胡大笑曰：“寡人不好农。农夫之子，无所用之。且世臣之子，未悉官之。”子思曰：“臣称李音，称其贤才也。周公大圣，康叔大贤。今鲁、卫之君未必皆同其祖考。李音父祖虽善农，则音亦未必与之同也。君言世臣之子未悉官之，则臣所谓有贤才而不见用，果信矣。臣之问君，固疑取士不以实也。今君不问李音之所以为贤才，而闻其世农夫因笑而不受，则君取士果信名而不由实者也。”卫君屈而无辞。 |
| | Zisi returned from Qi to Wei, and the ruler of Wei received him in a guest house and asked, "Master, you are a scholar of Lu. Yet you do not consider Wei small or insignificant; instead, you have come with your noble steps to visit us. I hope for some favor from you." Zisi said, "I am but a traveler staying here and have been honored by the ruler's dignity. To be frequently visited at my humble door is already great honor." "If I were to repay your kindness with wealth and goods, the ruler's treasuries are already full, yet I myself am poor." "If I were to repay you with wise words, I fear they may not align with your wishes and would go unheeded." "Therefore, I have nothing by which to repay the ruler except recommending virtuous men." The ruler of Wei said, "Virtue is indeed what I desire most." Zisi said, "I wonder how your Majesty intends to achieve this wish?" lando The ruler said, "Certainly use them to govern the state." Zisi said, "Your Majesty will not be able to." The ruler asked, "Why is that?" He replied, "Wei is not lacking virtuous and talented men, yet the ruler has no good governance." "This is why such virtuous talents are not being employed." The ruler said, "Even so, I would like to hear from you what makes a person virtuous." He replied, "Will the ruler choose men by their reputation?" "Or by their actual virtue?" The ruler said, "Certainly by their actual virtue." Zisi said, "In the eastern border of Wei there is a man named Li Yin; he is virtuous and possesses true merit." The ruler asked, "What are his father's and grandfather's backgrounds?" He replied, "They were farmers by trade." The ruler of Wei then burst into loud laughter and said, "I do not favor farmers. "The son of a farmer is of no use to me." "And the sons of my hereditary ministers have not yet been appointed to official posts." Zisi said, "I mention Li Yin because he is a virtuous and talented man. "Zhonggong was the great sage, Kangshu the great virtuous man." "Now, the rulers of Lu and Wei may not necessarily be as worthy as their ancestors." "Although Li Yin's father and grandfather were good farmers, it does not mean that he is the same as them." "Your Majesty says that the sons of hereditary ministers have not all been appointed to office; this confirms what I said earlier, that virtuous men are indeed not being employed." "Your Majesty's question to me was meant to confirm whether you choose officials based on their virtue; this shows doubt about your practice of selecting men by merit." "Now, Your Majesty did not inquire into the reasons why Li Yin is a virtuous and talented man, but upon hearing that his ancestors were farmers, you laughed and refused to accept him. This shows that your selection of officials indeed relies on reputation rather than actual virtue." The ruler of Wei was at a loss for words and could not reply.
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卫君曰：“夫道大而难明，非吾所能也。今欲学术，何如？”子思曰：“君无然也。体道者逸而不穷，任术者劳而无功。古之笃道君子生不足以喜之，利何足以动之；死不足以禁之，害何足以惧之。故明于死生之分，通于利害之变，虽以天下易其胫毛，无所概于志矣。是以与圣人居，使穷士忘其贫贱，使王公简其富贵。君无然也。”卫君曰：“善。” |
| | The ruler of Wei said, "The Way is great and difficult to understand; it is beyond my ability." "Now I wish to study the Way. What should I do?" Zisi said, "Your Majesty need not say that." "He who embodies the Way finds ease and is never in want; he who relies on methods toils endlessly without success." "An ancient gentleman devoted to the Way was not moved by life's pleasures, nor could profit stir his heart; "death did not deter him, and what harm could possibly instill fear in him?" "Therefore, understanding the distinction between life and death, and comprehending the transformations of profit and harm, even if one were to exchange the entire world for a single hair on his leg, it would not disturb his will." "Therefore, living among sages makes the poor forget their poverty and low status, while making kings and ministers regard wealth and rank as unimportant." "Your Majesty need not doubt this." The ruler of Wei said, "Well spoken."
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齐王谓子思曰：“今天下扰扰，诸侯无伯，吾国大人众，图帝何如？”子思曰：“不可也。君不能去君贪利之心。”王曰：“何害？”子思曰：“夫水之性清而土壤汩之，人之性安而嗜欲乱之。故能有天下者，必无以天下为者也；能有名誉者，必无以名誉为者也。达此，则其利心外矣。” |
| | King Qi said to Zisi, "Now the world is in turmoil, and among the feudal lords there is no hegemon. My state has many influential men; how about we plan for imperial rule?" Zisi said, "That would not be advisable." "The ruler cannot rid himself of his greedy and profit-seeking heart." The king asked, "What harm is there in that?" lodash Zisi said, "Water by nature is clear but becomes turbid when soil mixes into it; human nature is tranquil but is disturbed by desires and cravings. "Therefore, one who can possess the world must be someone who does not regard the world as something to pursue; "one who can attain reputation must be someone who does not seek reputation for its own sake." "If one understands this, then his greedy heart will lie outside of him."
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卫将军文子之内子死，复者曰：“皋媚女复。”子思闻之，曰：“此女氏之字，非夫氏之名也。妇人于夫氏以姓氏称，礼也。” |
| | The wife of Wei Jiangjun Wenzǐ died. A mourner said, "Gao Mei, you should mourn her." Zisi heard this and said, "This is the woman's given name, not the husband's family name. "A woman should be addressed by her husband's surname; this is in accordance with ritual."
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费子阳谓子思曰：“吾念周室将灭，泣涕不可禁也。”子思曰：“然。此亦子之善意也。夫能以智知可知，而不能以智知未可知，危之道也。今以一人之身忧世之不治而泣涕不禁，是忧河水之浊而泣清之也。其为无益莫大焉。故微子去殷，纪季之齐，良知时也。唯能不忧世之乱而患身之不治者，可与言道矣。” |
| | Fei Zi Yang said to Zisi, "I think of the Zhou dynasty on the verge of extinction and cannot stop weeping." Zisi said, "Indeed. "This is also a sign of your good intentions." "One may use wisdom to understand what can be known, but cannot use wisdom to know what has not yet been revealed; this is a dangerous path." "Now, for one person to grieve over the world's disorder and weep uncontrollably is like worrying about the river's murkiness and crying in hopes of its clarity." "There could be no greater futility than this." "Therefore, Weizi left the Yin dynasty and Ji Ji went to Qi; they were wise in knowing their time." "Only one who does not grieve over the disorder of the world but is concerned with his own moral cultivation may be spoken to about the Way."
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齐王戮其民不辜，谓子思曰：“吾知其不辜，而适触吾忿，故戮之，以为不足伤义也。”子思曰：“文王葬朽骨而天下知仁，商纣斫朝涉而天下称暴。夫义者、不必徧利天下也，暴者、不必尽虐海内也。以其所施而观其意，民乃去就焉。今君因心之忿，迁戮不辜，以为无伤于义。此非臣之所敢知也。”王曰：“寡人实过。乃今闻命。请改之。” |
| | King Qi executed innocent people and said to Zisi, "I know they are innocent, but their actions just happened to provoke my anger, so I had them killed. I consider this not enough to harm righteousness." Zisi said, "King Wen buried the bones of the dead and thus all under heaven knew his benevolence; King Zhou of Shang beheaded those who had stepped in morning dew, and so all under heaven called him a tyrant." "Righteousness does not require benefiting the entire world; cruelty does not necessitate harming all within the seas. "One judges a ruler's intent by what he has done, and thus the people decide whether to follow or abandon him." "Now Your Majesty, out of momentary anger, executes innocent men and considers this harmless to righteousness. "This is something I dare not understand." The king said, "I have indeed made a mistake. "I now hear your words." "Please allow me to correct it."
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卫公子交见于子思，曰：“先生、圣人之后，执清高之操，天下之君子莫不服先生之大名也。交虽不敏，窃幕下风。愿师先生之行，幸顾䘏之。”子思曰：“公子不宜也。夫清高之节，不以私自累，不以利烦意，择天下之至道，行天下之正路。今公子绍康叔之绪，处战伐之世，当务收英雄，保其疆土，非所以明否藏、立规检、修匹夫之行之时也。” |
| | Prince Jiao of Wei met with Zisi and said, "Master, you are the descendant of a sage, holding to an upright and lofty character; all virtuous men under heaven revere your great reputation. "Though I am not particularly wise, I secretly admire your example." "I wish to follow in your conduct and hope you will kindly look upon me with favor." Zisi said, "You, my lord, are not suitable for this. "Upright and lofty virtue does not burden oneself with personal concerns, nor disturb the mind with profit; it chooses the highest Way of the world and walks the righteous path of the world. "Now, my lord carries on the legacy of Kangshu and lives in an age of war; you should focus on gathering heroes and preserving your territory. This is not a time to concern yourself with distinguishing right from wrong, establishing standards, or cultivating the conduct of an ordinary man."
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卫公子交馈马四乘于子思，曰：“交不敢以此求先生之欢而辱先生之洁也。先生久降于鄙土，盖为宾主之饩焉。”子思曰：“伋寄命以来，度身以服卫之衣，量腹以食卫之粟矣。且又朝夕受酒脯及祭膰之赐，衣食已优，意气已定，以无行志，未敢当车马之贶。礼、虽有爵赐人，不逾父兄。今重违公子之盛旨，则有謟礼之愆焉，若何？”公子曰：“交已言于君矣。”荅曰：“不可。为人子者，三赐不及车马。”公子曰：“我未之闻也。谨受教。” |
| | Prince Jiao of Wei presented four sets of horses to Zisi and said, "I dare not offer this in hopes of gaining your favor or compromising your integrity. "You have long descended into my humble land; this is merely a token of hospitality between host and guest." Zisi said, "Since I was entrusted with my mission, I have measured my body to wear Wei's clothes and calculated my needs to eat Wei's grain. "Moreover, I have received daily wine and meat as well as sacrificial offerings; my clothing and food are already sufficient, and my will is settled. With no virtuous conduct to speak of, I dare not accept the gift of carriages and horses." "According to ritual, even if a person is honored with titles or gifts by others, they must not surpass their father or elder brothers. "If I now greatly defy the noble intentions of my lord, it would be a fault in flattery and ritual; what should I do?" The prince said, "I have already spoken to the ruler about this." Zisi replied, "That is not acceptable. "As a son, one should receive no more than three gifts without receiving carriages and horses." The prince said, "I have not heard of this." "I will respectfully accept your instruction."
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穆公欲相子思，子思不愿，将去鲁。鲁君曰：“天下之主、亦犹寡人也。去，将安之？”子思荅曰：“盖闻君子犹凤也，疑之则举。今君既疑矣，又以己限天下之君臣。窃谓君之言过矣。” |
| | Duke Mu wanted to appoint Zisi as his prime minister, but Zisi did not wish to accept the position and was about to leave Lu. The ruler of Lu said, "The rulers of all under heaven are like me. "If you leave, where will you go?" Zisi replied, "I have heard that a gentleman is like a phoenix; if doubted, it flies away. "Now Your Majesty has already shown doubt and yet restricts the relationship between ruler and minister in all under heaven by your own limitations." "I secretly believe Your Majesty's words are excessive."
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齐王谓子思曰：“先生名高于海内，吐言则天下之士莫不属耳目。今寡人欲相梁起。起也名少，愿先生谈说之也。”子思曰：“天下之士所以属耳目者，以伋之言，是非当也。今君使伋虚谈于起，则天下之士必改耳目矣。耳目既改，又无益于起。是两之丧也，故不敢承命。”齐君曰：“起之不善何也？”子思曰：“君岂未之知乎？厚于财色，必薄于德，自然之道也。今起以贪成富，闻于诸侯，而无救施之惠焉；以好色闻于齐国，而无男女之别焉。有一于此，犹受其咎，而起二之，能无累乎？”王曰：“寡人之言实过。愿先生赦焉。” |
| | King Qi said to Zisi, "Your reputation is high throughout the land; whenever you speak, no scholar under heaven fails to lend ear and eye. "Now I wish to appoint Liang Qi as my prime minister." "His name is not well known, so I hope you will speak highly of him on his behalf." Zisi said, "Scholars under heaven lend their ears and eyes to me because my words are just in distinguishing right from wrong. "Now if Your Majesty makes me speak falsely about Liang Qi, then the scholars under heaven will surely change their ears and eyes." "If they do so, it would be of no benefit to Liang Qi. "It would harm both him and me; therefore, I dare not accept your command." King Qi asked, "What is it about Liang Qi that is not good?" Zisi said, "Has Your Majesty not heard of this?" "Those who are greedy for wealth and beauty must be lacking in virtue; this is the natural way." "Now Liang Qi has become wealthy through greed, a matter known among feudal lords, yet he shows no benevolence in aiding others; "he is notorious for his love of beauty within Qi and has no distinction between men and women. "If one were guilty of even a single such offense, he would still suffer blame; but Liang Qi is guilty of both—how could he avoid disgrace?" The king said, "My words were indeed excessive. "I hope you will forgive me."
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| | 抗志: |
子思见老莱子，老莱子闻穆公将相子思。老莱子曰：“若子事君，将何以为乎？”子思曰：“顺吾性情，以道辅之，无死亡焉。”老莱子曰：“不可。顺子之性也，子性惟太刚而傲不肖，且又无所死亡，非人臣也。”子思曰：“不肖，故为人之所傲也。夫事君道行、言听，则何所死亡；道不行、言不听，则亦不能事君。所谓无死亡也。”老莱子曰：“子不见夫齿乎？虽坚刚，卒尽相摩；舌柔顺，终以不弊。”子思曰：“吾不能为舌，故不能事君。” |
| | Zisi visited Lao Laizi, and Lao Laizi heard that Duke Mu was about to appoint Zisi as prime minister. Lao Laizi said, "If you serve your ruler, what will be the basis of your actions?" Zisi said, "I will follow my nature and emotions, assist him with the Way, and avoid death." Lao Laizi said, "No. "To follow your nature is to be too rigid and arrogant, lacking in virtue; furthermore, you claim there will be no death, which makes you unfit as a minister." Zisi said, "Lacking virtue is why I am looked down upon by others. "If one serves a ruler and the Way prevails, if his words are heeded, then where would death come from; "if the Way does not prevail and his words go unheeded, then one cannot truly serve a ruler." "This is what I mean by no death." Lao Laizi said, "Have you not seen the teeth?" "Although strong and hard, they eventually wear down against each other; "the tongue is soft and yielding, yet it remains undamaged." Zisi said, "I cannot be like the tongue; therefore, I am unable to serve a ruler."
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