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三曰── |
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聖人相諭不待言，有先言言者也。海上之人有好蜻者，每居海上，從蜻游，蜻之至者，百數而不止，前後左右盡蜻也，終日玩之而不去。其父告之曰：「聞蜻皆從女居，取而來，吾將玩之。」明日之海上，而蜻無至者矣。 |
| | The sage communicates without words; there are those who speak first. There was a man by the sea who loved dragonflies. Whenever he lived by the seashore, he followed dragonflies in their flight. When dragonflies came to him, there were hundreds and more; before, behind, on all sides, they were filled with dragonflies. He played with them all day long without leaving. His father told him, "I have heard that dragonflies all come to you; catch some and bring them here, and I will play with them." The next day he went to the seashore, but no dragonflies came.
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勝書說周公旦曰：「廷小人眾，徐言則不聞，疾言則人知之，徐言乎？疾言乎？」周公旦曰：「徐言。」勝書曰：「有事於此，而精言之而不明，勿言之而不成，精言乎？勿言乎？」周公旦曰：「勿言。」故勝書能以不言說，而周公旦能以不言聽，此之謂不言之聽。不言之謀，不聞之事，殷雖惡周，不能疵矣。口㖧不言，以精相告，紂雖多心，弗能知矣。目視於無形，耳聽於無聲，商聞雖眾，弗能窺矣。同惡同好，志皆有欲，雖為天子，弗能離矣。 |
| | Sheng Shu said to Zhou Gong Dan: "There are many petty people in the court. If one speaks slowly, they will not hear; if one speaks quickly, others will know it. Should one speak slowly?" Or should one speak quickly?" Zhou Gong Dan said, "Speak slowly." Sheng Shu asked: "Suppose there is a matter at hand; if one speaks with precision but it remains unclear, and if one does not speak, the matter will not be accomplished. Should one speak with precision?" Or should one remain silent?" Zhou Gong Dan said, "Remain silent." Therefore, Sheng Shu was able to convey meaning without speaking, and Zhou Gong Dan was able to listen without words—this is called listening without speech. Strategies conveyed without words, and matters kept unheard, could not be criticized by Yin [Shang], although it hated Zhou. Lips moving without words, conveying meaning with precision—although Zhou had many suspicions, he could not understand it. Eyes seeing the formless, ears hearing the soundless—although Yin had many spies, they could not detect it. Those who share hatred and preference, whose aspirations are all driven by desire—even if one is emperor, he cannot escape this.
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孔子見溫伯雪子，不言而出。子貢曰：「夫子之欲見溫伯雪子好矣，今也見之而不言，其故何也？」孔子曰：「若夫人者，目擊而道存矣，不可以容聲矣。」故未見其人而知其志，見其人而心與志皆見，天符同也。聖人之相知，豈待言哉？ |
| | Confucius met Wenbo Xuezi, said nothing, and left. Zi Gong asked: "The Master has long desired to meet Wenbo Xuezi. Now that he has met him and said nothing, what is the reason for this?" Confucius said: "That man—when one meets his gaze, the Dao is already present; there is no need for words." Therefore, before meeting such a person one may know his aspirations, and upon meeting him, both heart and will become evident—this is the harmony of heavenly signs. The understanding between sages—how could it require words?
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白公問於孔子曰：「人可與微言乎？」孔子不應。白公曰：「若以石投水奚若？」孔子曰：「沒人能取之。」白公曰：「若以水投水奚若？」孔子曰：「淄、澠之合者，易牙嘗而知之。」白公曰：「然則人不可與微言乎？」孔子曰：「胡為不可？唯知言之謂者為可耳。」白公弗得也。知謂則不以言矣。言者，謂之屬也。求魚者濡，爭獸者趨，非樂之也。故至言去言，至為無為。淺智者之所爭則末矣。此白公之所以死於法室。 |
| | Bai Gong asked Confucius, "Can people be entrusted with subtle words?" Confucius did not respond. Bai Gong said, "If one throws a stone into water, what will happen?" Confucius said, "Even a diver cannot retrieve it." Bai Gong said, "If one pours water into water, what will happen?" Confucius said: "When the Zī and Miàn rivers are combined, Yi Ya can taste and recognize them." Bai Gong asked, "Then people cannot be entrusted with subtle words?" Confucius said: "Why not?" Only those who understand the meaning of words can be entrusted with them. Bai Gong did not understand this. Understanding the meaning transcends the need for words. Words are but a category of meaning. Those who seek fish get wet, those who chase beasts run about—it is not that they enjoy it. Therefore, the highest words dispense with speech, and the greatest action is no action at all. What petty minds strive for is but a triviality. This was why Bai Gong died in the chamber of punishment.
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齊桓公合諸侯，衛人後至。公朝而與管仲謀伐衛，退朝而入，衛姬望見君，下堂再拜，請衛君之罪。公曰：「吾於衛無故，子曷為請？」對曰：「妾望君之入也，足高氣彊，有伐國之志也；見妾而有動色，伐衛也。」明日君朝，揖管仲而進之。管仲曰：「君舍衛乎？」公曰：「仲父安識之？」管仲曰：「君之揖朝也恭，而言也徐，見臣而有慚色，臣是以知之。」君曰：「善。仲父治外，夫人治內，寡人知終不為諸侯笑矣。」桓公之所以匿者不言也，今管子乃以容貌音聲，夫人乃以行步氣志，桓公雖不言，若暗夜而燭燎也。 |
| | Duke Huan of Qi convened the feudal lords, but a man from Wei arrived late. The duke went to court and discussed with Guan Zhong the plan to attack Wei; after returning from court, Queen Wei saw him and descended the hall to bow twice, pleading for her husband's innocence. The duke said, "I have no quarrel with Wei; why do you plead?" She replied, "When I saw the king enter, his steps were high and his bearing strong, showing the intent to attack a state; when he saw me, his expression changed—this means Wei is to be attacked." The next day the king went to court, bowed to Guan Zhong and advanced him. Guan Zhong asked, "Will you abandon Wei?" The duke said, "How could my elder brother Zhong know this?" Guan Zhong said: "Your bow to the court was respectful, and your words were slow; when you saw me, your expression showed shame—this is how I knew." The duke said, "Well done. Elder brother Zhong governs the outside, and my wife governs within—I now know I shall never be laughed at by the feudal lords." Duke Huan concealed his intentions without speaking; now Guan Zi discerned them through appearance and tone, while the queen perceived them through gait and demeanor. Although Duke Huan did not speak, he was as visible in darkness as a blazing torch.
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晉襄公使人於周曰：「弊邑寡君寢疾，卜以守龜曰：『三塗為祟。』弊邑寡君使下臣願藉途而祈福焉。」天子許之。朝，禮使者事畢，客出。萇弘謂劉康公曰：「夫祈福於三塗，而受禮於天子，此柔嘉之事也，而客武色，殆有他事，願公備之也。」劉康公乃儆戎車卒士以待之。晉果使祭事先，因令楊子將卒十二萬而隨之，涉於棘津，襲聊阮、梁、蠻氏，滅三國焉。此形名不相當，聖人之所察也，萇弘則審矣。故言不足以斷小事，唯知言之謂者可為。 |
| | The Duke of Jin Xiang Gong sent envoys to Zhou and said, "Our lord is ill in bed. Divination with the oracle shell indicated: 'The Three Tu are causing misfortune.'" "Our lord has sent me to request permission to pass through your territory in order to pray for blessings." The Son of Heaven granted his permission. After the morning court ceremony and upon completing the rites for the envoys, the guests departed. Chang Hong said to Liu Kanggong, "To pray for blessings at the Three Tu and receive rites from the Son of Heaven—this is a gentle and auspicious matter. Yet the envoy displayed a fierce countenance; there may be other intentions. I hope you will prepare for this." Liu Kanggong then put his war chariots and soldiers on alert to await them. Jin indeed sent a sacrificial envoy first, and took the opportunity to order Yang Zi to lead twelve thousand soldiers in pursuit. They crossed at Jijin Ford, launched a surprise attack on Liao Ruan, Liang, and Man Shi, and annihilated all three states. This was a case of outward appearance not matching inner intent—something the sage would discern. Chang Hong observed this with great insight. Therefore, words are insufficient to decide minor matters; only those who understand the true meaning of words can act effectively.
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