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《選將 - Selecting a General 》 | English translation: AI and Chinese Text Project users [?] | Library Resources Related resources |
| 1 | 選將: |
武王問太公曰：「王者舉兵，欲簡練英雄，知士之高下，為之奈何？」 太公曰：「夫士外貌不與中情相應者十五：有嚴而不肖者；有溫良而為盜者；有貌恭敬而心慢者；有外廉謹而內無至誠者；有精精而無情者；有湛湛而無誠者；有好謀而不決者；有如果敢而不能者；有悾悾而不信者；有怳怳惚惚而反忠實者；有詭激而有功效者；有外勇而內怯者；有肅肅而反易人者；有嗃嗃而反靜愨者；有勢虛形劣而外出無所不至、無所不遂者。天下所賤，聖人所貴；凡人莫知，非有大明不見其際，此士之外貌不與中情相應者也。」 |
| King Wu asked Tai Gong: "When a sovereign raises an army, he wishes to test and distinguish heroes and capable men, and to know the abilities of his soldiers. How should this be done?" Tai Gong said: "There are fifteen types of men whose outward appearance does not correspond to their inner character: there are those who appear dignified but are in fact unworthy; there are those who seem gentle and kind but are actually thieves; there are those whose appearance is respectful yet their hearts are arrogant; there are those who outwardly appear upright and cautious but inwardly lack genuine sincerity; there are those who display meticulousness yet have no true feelings; there are those who appear deep and profound but lack sincerity; there are those who like to devise plans yet cannot make decisions; there are those who appear bold and courageous but lack the ability to act; there are those who look earnest yet are not trustworthy; there are those who appear fickle and uncertain but in fact are loyal and sincere; there are those who behave deceptively or provocatively yet achieve tangible results; there are those who appear brave outwardly but are timid within; there are those who seem solemn and upright yet in fact treat people carelessly; there are those who appear harsh and domineering yet in reality are calm and modest; there are those whose actual abilities are weak and appearances poor, yet they manage to go everywhere and achieve whatever they set out to do. What is despised by the world is valued by sages; ordinary people know nothing of this; unless one possesses great insight, he cannot discern the difference. These are examples of how a man's outward appearance does not match his inner character." | ||
| 2 | 選將: |
武王曰：「何以知之？」 太公曰：「知之有八徵：一曰、問之以言，以觀其辭。 二曰、窮之以辭，以觀其變。 三曰、與之閒謀，以觀其誠。 四曰、明白顯問，以觀其德。 五曰、使之以財，以觀其廉。 六曰、試之以色，以觀其貞。 七曰、告之以難，以觀其勇。 八曰、醉之以酒，以觀其態。 八徵皆備，則賢、不肖別矣。」 |
| King Wu said: "How can one know this?" Tai Gong said: "There are eight signs by which one may discern such people: first, question them with words to observe their expressions. Second, press them with arguments to see how they respond and change. Third, discuss matters in private with them to observe their sincerity. Fourth, ask clear and direct questions to observe their virtue. Fifth, entrust them with wealth to observe their integrity. Sixth, test them with temptation of beauty to observe their steadfastness. Seventh, inform them of difficulties to observe their courage. Eighth, get them drunk with wine to observe their true nature. When all eight signs are applied, the virtuous and the unworthy will be clearly distinguished." |
URN: ctp:liu-tao/xuan-jiang