| | 决壅: |
夫人君为左右所壅制，此有目而无见，有耳而无闻，积无闻见，必至乱正，故国有壅臣，祸速近邻，人臣之欲壅其主者，无国无之何也。利在于壅也。壅则擅宠于身，威权独于己，此人臣日夜所祷祝面求也。人臣之壅其君，微妙工巧，见壅之时，不知也。率至亡败，然后悔焉。 |
| | When a ruler is obstructed and controlled by his attendants, this is having eyes but no vision, ears but no hearing. Accumulated lack of sight and hearing will inevitably lead to disorder in governance. Therefore, when a state has obstructive ministers, calamity quickly approaches from nearby neighbors. How can it be that there is not a single such minister in any country who wishes to obstruct his sovereign? The advantage lies in obstruction itself. Obstruction allows one to monopolize favor for oneself and concentrate authority and power solely in his own hands. This is what ministers desire day and night, praying for it. When a minister obstructs his sovereign, he does so subtly and skillfully; when obstruction occurs, the ruler is unaware of it. This often leads to ruin or failure, and then regret follows.
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| | 决壅: |
为人君之务在于决壅，决壅之务在于进下，进下之道在于博听，博听之义，无贵贱同异，隶竪牧圉，皆得达焉。若此，则所闻见者广，所闻见者广，则虽欲求壅，弗得也。 |
| | The duty of a ruler lies in removing obstruction; the way to remove obstruction lies in promoting those below him; the method of promotion lies in listening widely. The principle of broad listening means that regardless of rank, status, or differing opinions—be they from commoners, servants, or stable hands—all should be allowed to express their views. If this is done, then the ruler's knowledge and perception will be extensive; with such broad awareness, even if one wishes to obstruct him, it cannot be achieved.
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| | 决壅: |
人主之好恶，不可见于外也。所好恶见于外，则臣妾乘其所好恶以行壅制焉。故曰：人君无见其意，将为下饵，昔晋公好色，骊女乘色以壅之，吴王好广地，太宰陈伐以壅之，桓公好味，易牙烝首子以壅之，及薛公进美珥以劝立后，龙阳临钓鱼行微巧之诈，以壅制其主，沉寞无端，甚可畏矣。古今亡国多矣。皆由壅蔽于帷幄之内，沉溺于谄谀之言也。而秦二世独甚，赵高见二世好淫游之乐，遗于政。因曰：帝王贵有天下者，贵得纵欲恣意，尊严若神，固可得闻，而不可得睹，高遂专权欺内，二世见杀望夷，临死，乃知见之祸，悔复无及，岂不哀哉。 |
| | A sovereign's likes and dislikes must not be revealed outwardly. If a ruler's preferences become known externally, then ministers and attendants will exploit those preferences to carry out obstruction and control. Therefore it is said: A ruler must not reveal his intentions, for otherwise he will become bait to those below. In the past, Duke Jing of Jin favored beauty, and 骊女 exploited this preference to obstruct him; King Goujian of Wu desired territorial expansion, so the Grand Minister Chen Fa used military campaigns to control him; Duke Huan of Qi loved fine food, and Yiya cooked his son's meat to manipulate him. Later, Xue Gong presented beautiful earrings to encourage the establishment of a queen, while Longyang, while fishing, employed subtle deceptions to dominate his ruler. These acts of obstruction led to silence and inaction without cause—truly terrifying indeed. Many states have fallen throughout history. All were due to obstruction and concealment within the court, and indulgence in flattery and sycophantic words. Yet Emperor Ershi of Qin was especially severe; Zhao Gao, seeing that Emperor Ershi favored licentious pleasures and idle pursuits, neglected state affairs. Zhao Gao then said: "A Son of Heaven, who is precious in possessing the world, should be able to indulge his desires and act as he pleases. His majesty is like a god—his presence may be heard but not seen." Thus Zhao Gao seized power and deceived within the court. Emperor Ershi was eventually killed at Wangyi. On the verge of death, he realized the calamity , but regret came too late; how pitiable!
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