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晋国苦盗，有却雍者，能视盗之貌，察其眉睫之间，而得其情，晋侯使视盗，千百无遗一焉。晋侯大喜。告赵文子曰：吾得一人而一国盗为尽，奚用多为。文子曰：吾君恃伺察而得盗，盗不尽矣。且却雍必不得其死焉。俄而羣盗谋曰：吾所穷者却雍也。遂共盗而戕，晋侯闻而大骇。召文子而告之曰：果如子言，却雍死，然取盗何方。文子曰：周谚有言，察见渊鱼者不祥，智料隐匿者有殃，且君欲无盗，莫若举贤而任之，使教明于上，化行于下，人有耻心，则何盗之为，于是用随会知政，而羣盗奔秦焉。 |
| | In the state of Jin, there was a man named Que Yong who could discern thieves by observing their appearances and examining the subtle expressions in their eyebrows and eyelashes. The ruler of Jin sent him to identify thieves, and not one among hundreds or thousands escaped detection. The ruler of Jin was very pleased. He told Zhao Wenzzi, "I have found one man who can root out all the thieves in our state; why do we need so many others?" Wenzzi said, "Our ruler relies on observation to catch thieves, but this will never eliminate all thieves." Moreover, Que Yong himself will certainly not meet a peaceful death. Soon afterward, the bandits plotted and said, "The one who has been tracking us down is Que Yong." They then conspired together to kill him. The ruler of Jin heard about this and was greatly alarmed. He summoned Wenzhi and told him, "As you said, Que Yong has died. But now how can we catch the thieves?" Wenzhi said, "There is a proverb from the Zhou people: 'Those who can see fish in deep waters bring misfortune; those who are wise enough to detect hidden things invite calamity.' Moreover, if Your Majesty wishes to eliminate theft, there is no better way than to appoint virtuous officials and entrust them with responsibilities. Let moral instruction be clear at the top and benevolent policies prevail among the people. When people have a sense of shame, how can there be thieves? Therefore, he appointed Sui Hui to oversee government affairs, and as a result, the bandits fled to Qin."
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孔子自卫反鲁，息驾乎河梁而观焉。其悬水三十仞，圜流九十里，鱼鳖弗能游，鼋鼍弗能居，有丈夫方将厉之。孔子使人止之曰：此悬水三十仞，圜流九十里，鱼鳖鼋鼍弗能居也。意者难可以济乎。丈夫不以措意，遂度而出。孔子问之曰：巧乎。有道术乎。所以能入而出者何也。丈夫对曰：始吾之入也。先以忠信，吾之出也。又从以忠信，措吾躯于波流，而吾不敢用私，所以能入而复出者以此也。孔子谓弟子曰：二三子识之，水且犹可以忠信亲之，而况人乎。 |
| | Confucius returned from Wei to Lu, and stopped his carriage at He Liang to observe. The waterfall was thirty ren high, and the circular current extended for ninety li. Fish and turtles could not swim there, nor could giant tortoises or crocodiles dwell in it. A man was about to cross by wading through it. Confucius sent someone to stop him and said, "This waterfall is thirty ren high, the circular current extends for ninety li; even fish, turtles, soft-shelled turtles, and crocodiles cannot live here." "Do you think it would be difficult to cross?" The man paid no attention and crossed the river, emerging safely on the other side. Confucius asked him, "Was that skillful?" "Did you have some method or technique?" "Why were you able to enter and emerge safely?" The man replied, "When I first entered the river," "I relied on loyalty and trustworthiness; when I emerged," "once again, I followed with loyalty and trustworthiness. I placed my body in the surging waves, yet I dared not act out of selfishness. This is why I was able to enter and return safely." Confucius said to his disciples, "Remember this, my students. Even turbulent water can be approached with loyalty and trustworthiness—how much more so human relationships?"
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楚庄王问詹何曰：治国奈何，詹何对曰：何明于治身，而不明于治国也。楚王曰：寡人得奉宗庙社稷，愿学所以守之。詹何对曰：臣未尝闻身治而国乱者也。又未尝闻身乱而国治者也。故本在身，不敢对以末。楚王曰：善。 |
| | King Zhuang of Chu asked Zhan He, "How should a state be governed?" Zhan He replied, "You are clear about governing yourself but unclear about governing the state." King Chu said, "I have been entrusted with the ancestral temple and the state. I wish to learn how to preserve them." Zhan He replied, "I have never heard of a case where one governs oneself well but the state is in chaos." "I have also never heard of a case where self-discipline is lacking yet the state is well governed." "Therefore, the root lies in oneself; I dare not speak about superficial matters." King Chu said, "Well spoken."
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