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二曰── |
| | Secondly--
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先王之于论也极之矣，故义者百事之始也，万利之本也，中智之所不及也。不及则不知，不知趋利。趋利固不可必也，公孙鞅、郑平、续经、公孙竭是已。以义动则无旷事矣。人臣与人臣谋为奸，犹或与之。又况乎人主与其臣谋为义，其孰不与者？非独其臣也，天下皆且与之。 |
| | The former kings have already thoroughly discussed it; therefore, righteousness is the beginning of all affairs and the foundation of all benefits, something beyond the comprehension of an average intelligent person. If one does not comprehend it, then one does not know; if one does not know, one will pursue profit recklessly. Pursuing profit is inherently uncertain; this has been demonstrated by Gongsun Yang, Zheng Ping, Xu Jing, and Gongsun Jie. Acting in accordance with righteousness ensures that no important matters are neglected. When officials conspire together to commit corruption, there is still someone who may associate with them. How much more so when a ruler and his ministers plot for righteousness; who would not support such an endeavor? It is not only their ministers, but all under heaven will also support them.
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公孙鞅之于秦，非父兄也，非有故也，以能用也，欲堙之责，非攻无以，于是为秦将而攻魏。魏使公子卬将而当之。公孙鞅之居魏也，固善公子卬，使人谓公子卬曰：“凡所为游而欲贵者，以公子之故也。今秦令鞅将，魏令公子当之，岂且忍相与战哉？公子言之公子之主，鞅请亦言之主，而皆罢军。”于是将归矣，使人谓公子曰：“归未有时相见，愿与公子坐而相去别也。”公子曰：“诺。”魏吏争之曰：“不可。”公子不听，遂相与坐。公孙鞅因伏卒与车骑以取公子卬。秦孝公薨，惠王立，以此疑公孙鞅之行，欲加罪焉。公孙鞅以其私属与母归魏。襄疵不受，曰：“以君之反公子卬也，吾无道知君。”故士自行不可不审也。 |
| | Gongsun Yang was not a father or elder brother to the state of Qin, nor did he have any prior connection; he was employed solely for his ability. When he wished to eliminate blame and had no other means but attack, he therefore became a general of Qin and attacked Wei. Wei sent Gongzi Ang to lead troops against him. While Gongsun Yang was in Wei, he had always been on good terms with Gongzi Ang. He sent someone to tell Gongzi Ang: "All those who travel about seeking advancement and honor do so because of you, my lord." Now that Qin has appointed Yang as general, and Wei has ordered you to oppose him, how could we bear to fight against each other? "Speak to your lord about this matter, and I shall also speak to my master; let us both withdraw our armies." At this point, as they were about to return, Gongsun Yang sent someone to say to Gongzi Ang: "Since we may not meet again for some time, I wish to sit with you and bid each other farewell." Gongzi Ang said, "Agreed." The Wei officials argued, saying, "This is not advisable." Gongzi Ang did not listen and proceeded to sit with him. Gongsun Yang then ambushed Gongzi Ang, capturing him along with his chariots and cavalry. The King Xiao of Qin died, and King Hui took the throne. Because of this incident, he suspected Gongsun Yang's conduct and wished to punish him. Gongsun Yang returned to Wei with his private followers and mother. Xiang Ci did not accept him, saying: "Because you betrayed Gongzi Ang, I have no way of knowing you." Therefore, one cannot be too careful about how a gentleman conducts himself.
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郑平于秦王臣也，其于应侯交也，欺交反主，为利故也。方其为秦将也，天下所贵之无不以者，重也。重以得之，轻必失之。去秦将，入赵、魏，天下所贱之无不以也，所可羞无不以也。行方可贱可羞，而无秦将之重，不穷奚待？ |
| | Zheng Ping was a minister to the King of Qin; he had dealings with Ying Hou, but deceived him and betrayed his lord for the sake of profit. When he was a general of Qin, there was nothing in the world that he did not possess, as everyone held him in high esteem. High status gained through virtue will be lost if one becomes careless and undisciplined. After leaving his post as a general of Qin, he went to Zhao and Wei, where nothing in the world was beyond what people despised him for, and nothing that could be considered a disgrace was beyond what befell him. With conduct so despicable and shameful, and without the former prestige of being a general of Qin, how long could he avoid hardship?
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赵急求李咳，李言续经与之俱如卫，抵公孙与，公孙与见而与入，续经因告卫吏使捕之，续经以仕赵五大夫。人莫与同朝，子孙不可以交友。 |
| | Zhao urgently sought Li Kai. Li said that Xu Jing had gone with him to Wei, and they arrived at Gongsun Yu's place. Gongsun Yu received them and allowed them entry, but Xu Jing then informed the Wei officials to arrest them. As a result, Xu Jing was appointed as a Dadaifu (Great Doctor) in Zhao. No one would serve alongside him in court; his descendants could not form friendships with others.
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公孙竭与阴君之事，而反告之樗里相国，以仕秦五大夫，功非不大也，然而不得入三都，又况乎无此其功而有行乎？ |
| | Gongsun Jie was involved in a matter with Yin Jun, but betrayed him by reporting to Chuli Xiangguo, and thus became a Dadaifu (Great Doctor) of Qin. His achievement cannot be considered small; yet he still could not enter the Three Capitals. How much less so for those who have no such achievements and also possess poor conduct?
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