| | 無義: |
二曰── |
| | Secondly--
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| | 無義: |
先王之於論也極之矣，故義者百事之始也，萬利之本也，中智之所不及也。不及則不知，不知趨利。趨利固不可必也，公孫鞅、鄭平、續經、公孫竭是已。以義動則無曠事矣。人臣與人臣謀為姦，猶或與之。又況乎人主與其臣謀為義，其孰不與者？非獨其臣也，天下皆且與之。 |
| | 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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| | 無義: |
公孫鞅之於秦，非父兄也，非有故也，以能用也，欲堙之責，非攻無以，於是為秦將而攻魏。魏使公子卬將而當之。公孫鞅之居魏也，固善公子卬，使人謂公子卬曰：「凡所為游而欲貴者，以公子之故也。今秦令鞅將，魏令公子當之，豈且忍相與戰哉？公子言之公子之主，鞅請亦言之主，而皆罷軍。」於是將歸矣，使人謂公子曰：「歸未有時相見，願與公子坐而相去別也。」公子曰：「諾。」魏吏爭之曰：「不可。」公子不聽，遂相與坐。公孫鞅因伏卒與車騎以取公子卬。秦孝公薨，惠王立，以此疑公孫鞅之行，欲加罪焉。公孫鞅以其私屬與母歸魏。襄疵不受，曰：「以君之反公子卬也，吾無道知君。」故士自行不可不審也。 |
| | 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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| | 無義: |
鄭平於秦王臣也，其於應侯交也，欺交反主，為利故也。方其為秦將也，天下所貴之無不以者，重也。重以得之，輕必失之。去秦將，入趙、魏，天下所賤之無不以也，所可羞無不以也。行方可賤可羞，而無秦將之重，不窮奚待？ |
| | 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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| | 無義: |
趙急求李欬，李言續經與之俱如衛，抵公孫與，公孫與見而與入，續經因告衛吏使捕之，續經以仕趙五大夫。人莫與同朝，子孫不可以交友。 |
| | 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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| | 無義: |
公孫竭與陰君之事，而反告之樗里相國，以仕秦五大夫，功非不大也，然而不得入三都，又況乎無此其功而有行乎？ |
| | 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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