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四曰── |
| | Fourthly──
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凡物之然也，必有故。而不知其故，虽当与不知同，其卒必困。先王名士达师之所以过俗者，以其知也。水出于山而走于海，水非恶山而欲海也，高下使之然也。稼生于野而藏于仓，稼非有欲也，人皆以之也。故子路揜雉而复释之。 |
| | All things that occur must have a cause. If one does not know the reason, even if it happens to be correct, it is no different from ignorance, and in the end one will surely be trapped in difficulties. The reason why ancient sage kings, renowned scholars, and accomplished teachers surpassed the common people was because of their knowledge. Water originates from mountains and flows toward the sea, not because water dislikes mountains or desires the sea, but because differences in elevation cause it to do so. Crops grow in the fields and are stored in granaries; crops themselves have no desires, but people act this way. Therefore, Zilu caught a pheasant but then released it again.
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子列子常射中矣，请之于关尹子。关尹子曰：“知子之所以中乎？”答曰：“弗知也。”关尹子曰：“未可。”退而习之三年，又请。关尹子曰：“子知子之所以中乎？”子列子曰：“知之矣。”关尹子曰：“可矣，守而勿失。”非独射也，国之存也，国之亡也，身之贤也，身之不肖也，亦皆有以。圣人不察存亡贤不肖，而察其所以也。 |
| | Zi Liezi often hit the target with his archery and thus inquired about it from Guan Yizi. Guan Yizi asked, "Do you know why you are able to hit the target?" He replied, "I do not know." Guan Yizi said, "Then it is not yet acceptable." He withdrew and practiced for three years before making another request. Guan Yizi asked, "Do you now know why you are able to hit your target?" Zi Liezi said, "I do now." Guan Yizi said: "Now it is acceptable. Maintain this understanding and do not lose it." It is not only in archery that this principle applies; the preservation or downfall of a state, and whether an individual is virtuous or unworthy, also all have their reasons. Sages do not merely examine the existence or collapse of a state, or whether someone is virtuous or unworthy; rather, they investigate the reasons behind these outcomes.
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齐攻鲁，求岑鼎，鲁君载他鼎以往。齐侯弗信而反之，为非，使人告鲁侯曰：“柳下季以为是，请因受之。”鲁君请于柳下季，柳下季答曰：“君之赂，以欲岑鼎也？以免国也？臣亦有国于此，破臣之国以免君之国，此臣之所难也。”于是鲁君乃以真岑鼎往也。且柳下季可谓此能说矣，非独存己之国也，又能存鲁君之国。 |
| | Qi attacked Lu and demanded the Cen Ding (a precious tripod). The ruler of Lu sent a different tripod instead. The Duke of Qi did not believe it and returned the tripod, making an accusation, and sent a messenger to inform the Duke of Lu: "Lord Liu Xiaoji believes this one is genuine; please allow us to accept it through his recommendation." The Duke of Lu consulted Liu Xiaoji, who replied, "Is your offering a bribe to obtain the Cen Ding?" To satisfy your desire for the Cen Ding? Or is it to save your state?" I, too, have a stake in this matter; to destroy my country in order to save yours is something I find difficult to do." Thus, the ruler of Lu sent the genuine Cen Ding to Qi. Moreover, Liu Xiaoji can truly be called a master of persuasion; not only did he preserve his own interests, but he also succeeded in preserving the Duke of Lu's state.
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齐泯王亡居于卫，昼日步足，谓公玉丹曰：“我已亡矣，而不知其故。吾所以亡者，果何故哉？我当已。”公玉丹答曰：“臣以王为已知之矣，王故尚未之知邪？王之所以亡也者，以贤也。天下之王皆不肖，而恶王之贤也，因相与合兵而攻王，此王之所以亡也。”泯王慨焉太息曰：“贤固若是其苦邪？”此亦不知其所以也，此公玉丹之所以过也。 |
| | King Mian of Qi, after fleeing to Wei and living in exile, walked barefoot during the day and said to Gong Yudan: "I have already lost my kingdom, yet I do not know the reason." "Why did I lose my kingdom? What was the true cause?" "I should have known already." Gong Yudan replied, "I thought Your Majesty had already understood it. Is it that you still do not know?" The reason why Your Majesty lost your kingdom was because of your virtue. All the kings throughout the world are unworthy, and they resent Your Majesty's virtue. Therefore, they joined forces to attack you—this is why Your Majesty has lost your kingdom." King Mian sighed deeply and said, "Is being virtuous truly so painful?" This was also not knowing the underlying reason; this is why Gong Yudan surpassed him.
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越王授有子四人。越王之弟曰豫，欲尽杀之，而为之后。恶其三人而杀之矣，国人不说，大非上。又恶其一人而欲杀之，越王未之听。其子恐必死，因国人之欲逐豫，围王宫。越王太息曰：“余不听豫之言，以罹此难也。”亦不知所以亡也。 |
| | Yuewang Shou had four sons. The younger brother of King Yuewang, Yu, wanted to kill all of them and take over as the heir. He hated three of the sons and killed them. The people of the state were displeased and greatly criticized the ruler. He also disliked one remaining son and wanted to kill him, but King Yuewang did not approve. The son feared he would surely die, so taking advantage of the people's desire to expel Yu, they besieged the royal palace. King Yuewang sighed and said, "I did not heed Yu's advice, and thus I have encountered this calamity." He also did not know the reason for his downfall.
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