| | 靈公禁婦... : |
靈公好婦人而丈夫飾者，國人盡服之，公使吏禁之，曰：「女子而男子飾者，裂其衣，斷其帶。」裂衣斷帶相望，而不止。 |
| | King Ling favored women who wore men's attire, so the people of the state all adopted this fashion. The king ordered officials to prohibit it, saying: "Those who are women but wear men's clothing shall have their clothes torn and their sashes cut." Torn clothes and severed sashes could be seen everywhere, yet the practice did not stop.
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| | 靈公禁婦... : |
晏子見，公問曰：「寡人使吏禁女子而男子飾，裂斷其衣帶，相望而不止者何也？」 |
| | Yan Zi paid a visit, and the king asked him: "I have ordered officials to prohibit women from wearing men's clothing, tearing their clothes and cutting their sashes. Why is it that this practice can still be seen everywhere without ceasing?"
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| | 靈公禁婦... : |
晏子對曰：「君使服之於內，而禁之于外，猶懸牛首于門，而賣馬肉于內也。公何以不使內勿服，則外莫敢為也。」 |
| | Yan Zi replied: "Your Majesty orders them to wear it within the palace, yet prohibits it outside. This is like hanging a bull's head at the door while selling horse meat inside." "Why does Your Majesty not prohibit wearing men's clothing within the palace? If that were done, no one outside would dare to do so either."
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| | 靈公禁婦... : |
公曰：「善。」使內勿服，踰月，而國莫之服。 |
| | The king said: "You are right." He ordered that it should not be worn within the palace. After more than a month, no one in the state wore men's clothing anymore.
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| | 齊人好轂... : |
齊人甚好轂擊，相犯以為樂。禁之不止。晏子患之，迺為新車良馬，出與人相犯也，曰：「轂擊者不祥，臣其祭祀不順，居處不敬乎？」下車而棄去之，然後國人乃不為。 |
| | The people of Qi were very fond of chariot dueling, and they took pleasure in clashing with each other. Prohibitions could not stop it. Yan Zi was troubled by this, so he prepared a new carriage and fine horse, went out to collide with others, and said: "Those who engage in chariot dueling are ill-omened. Could it be that my sacrifices have been disrespectful or my conduct improper?" He got out of the carriage and abandoned it, and only then did the people of the country stop doing so.
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| | 齊人好轂... : |
故曰：「禁之以制，而身不先行，民不能止。故化其心，莫若教也。」 |
| | Therefore it is said: "If one prohibits something by regulation but does not personally lead by example, the people cannot be stopped." "Therefore, to transform their hearts, nothing is better than education."
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| | 景公瞢五... : |
景公畋于梧丘，夜猶早，公姑坐睡，而瞢有五丈夫北面韋廬，稱無罪焉。公覺，召晏子而告其所瞢。公曰：「我其嘗殺不辜，誅無罪邪？」 |
| | Jing Gong went hunting at Wuqiu, and it was still early in the night. The duke sat down to sleep briefly, but he had a dream in which five men stood facing north wearing Wei lu robes, claiming they were innocent. The duke woke up and summoned Yanyi, telling him about the dream he had. The duke said, "Have I perhaps once killed an innocent person or punished someone who was guiltless?"
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| | 景公瞢五... : |
晏子對曰：「昔者先君靈公畋，五丈夫罟而駭獸，故殺之，斷其頭而葬之。命曰『五丈夫之丘』，此其地邪？」公令人掘而求之，則五頭同穴而存焉。公曰：「嘻！」令吏葬之。國人不知其瞢也，曰：「君憫白骨，而況於生者乎，不遺餘力矣，不釋餘知矣。」故曰：君子之為善易矣。 |
| | Yanyi replied, "In the past, our late ruler Duke Ling went hunting, and five men startled the game with their nets, so he had them killed, cut off their heads, and buried them. He gave it the name 'Wu Zhuangfu's Mound,' is this the place?" The duke ordered people to dig and search for them, and indeed five heads were found in the same grave. The duke said, "Ah!" He ordered the officials to bury them properly. The people of the state did not know about the duke's dream, but they said, "If the ruler feels compassion for white bones, how much more so for those who are still alive? He spares no effort and does not withhold any knowledge." Therefore it is said: It is easy for a man of virtue to do good.
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| | 柏常騫禳... : |
景公為路寢之臺，成，而不踊焉。柏常騫曰：「君為臺甚急，臺成，君何為而不踊焉？」公曰：「然！有梟昔者鳴，聲無不為也，吾惡之甚，是以不踊焉。」 |
| | Jinggong built a terrace for his sleeping quarters, and when it was completed, he did not dance in joy. Bo Changqian said: "Your Majesty built the terrace with great urgency; now that it is completed, why do you not dance in joy?" The ruler said: "Indeed! There was once a screech-owl that cried out, making sounds of all kinds; I intensely dislike it, so this is why I did not dance."
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| | 柏常騫禳... : |
柏常騫曰：「臣請禳而去。」公曰：「何具？」對曰：「築新室，為置白茅。」公使為室，成，置白茅焉。柏常騫夜用事。明日，問公曰：「今昔聞鴞聲乎？」公曰：「一鳴而不復聞。」使人往視之，鴞當陛，布翌，伏地而死。公曰：「子之道若此其明，亦能益寡人之壽乎？」對曰：「能。」公曰：「能益幾何？」對曰：「天子九，諸侯七，大夫五。」公曰：「子亦有徵兆之見乎？」對曰：「得壽，地且動。」公喜，令百官趣具騫之所求。柏常騫出，遭晏子于塗，拜馬前，騫辭曰：「為禳君鴞而殺之，君謂騫曰：『子之道若此其明也，亦能益寡人壽乎？』騫曰：『能。』今且大祭，為君請壽，故將往，以聞。」晏子曰：「嘻！亦善能為君請壽也。雖然，吾聞之，維以政與德而順乎神，為可以益壽，今徒祭，可以益壽乎？然則福兆有見乎？」對曰：「得壽，地將動。」 |
| | Bo Changqian said: "I shall perform a ritual to drive it away and eliminate it." The ruler asked, "What preparations are needed?" He replied: "Build a new room and place white rush grass there." The ruler ordered the construction of a room, which was completed, and white rush grass was placed in it. Bo Changqian performed the ritual at night. The next day, he asked the ruler: "Did you hear the sound of an owl last night?" The ruler said: "It cried once and I heard it no more." They sent someone to go and look, and found the owl at the base of the palace steps, its wings spread out, lying on the ground dead. The ruler said: "If your method is so effective, would it also be able to add years to my life?" He replied: "Yes." The ruler asked, "How many years could be added?" He replied: "Nine for an emperor, seven for a feudal lord, and five for a high official." The ruler asked: "Do you also see omens or signs?" He replied: "If longevity is granted, the earth will tremble." The ruler was pleased and ordered all officials to quickly prepare what Bo Changqian requested. Bo Changqian went out and met Yanzi on the road, bowing before his horse. Bo Changqian declined, saying: "I performed a ritual to drive away Your Majesty's screech-owl and killed it; the ruler asked me: 'Your method is so effective; would you also be able to add years to My life?'" Bo Changqian said: "Yes." Now a great sacrifice is about to be held, and I am going to pray for Your Majesty's longevity, so I was about to go there to report." Yanzi said: "Ah! You are also very capable of praying for Your Majesty's longevity. Although that is so, I have heard that it is only by governing with virtue and pleasing the gods through righteous conduct that one can gain longevity. Now you are merely performing a sacrifice—can this truly add years to life? Then, would there be an omen of good fortune?" He replied: "If longevity is gained, the earth will shake."
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| | 柏常騫禳... : |
晏子曰：「騫！昔吾見維星絕，樞星散，地其動，汝以是乎？」柏常騫俯有閒，仰而對曰：「然。」晏子曰：「為之無益，不為無損也。汝薄斂，毋費民，且無令君知之。」 |
| | Yanzi said: "Bo Changqian! In the past, I saw the Weixing star cut off and the Shuxing stars scattered; the earth was about to shake. Are you relying on this?" Bo Changqian bowed his head for a moment, then looked up and replied: "Yes." Yanzi said: "Doing it will be of no benefit, but not doing it will cause no harm. You should reduce levies and do not burden the people, and also do not let the ruler know about this."
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| | 景公成柏... : |
景公新成柏寢之臺，使師開鼓琴，師開左撫宮，右彈商，曰：「室夕。」公曰：「何以知之？」 |
| | Jinggong newly built a cypress pavilion for sleeping, and had Shikai play the guqin. Shikai placed his left hand on the gong note and plucked the shang note with his right hand, saying: "Evening in the chamber." The duke asked, "How do you know this?"
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| | 景公成柏... : |
師開對曰：「東方之聲薄，西方之聲揚。」公召大匠曰：「室何為夕？」 |
| | Shikai replied, "The sound from the east is faint, and the sound from the west is rising." The duke summoned the chief architect and asked, "Why does the chamber become evening?"
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| | 景公成柏... : |
大匠曰：「立室以宮矩為之。」于是召司空曰：「立宮何為夕？」 |
| | The chief architect said, "A room is built using the gong scale as its standard." He then summoned the Minister of Works and asked, "Why does building a palace become evening?"
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| | 景公成柏... : |
司空曰：「立宮以城矩為之。」明日，晏子朝公，公曰：「先君太公以營丘之封立城，曷為夕？」 |
| | The Minister of Works said, "A palace is built using the city's standard as its measure." The next day, Yanzigao to court the duke. The duke said, "King Tai Gong of our ancestors established a city with the fief of Yingqiu; why is it evening?"
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| | 景公成柏... : |
晏子對曰：「古之立國者，南望南斗，北戴樞星，彼安有朝夕哉！然而以今之夕者，周之建國，國之西方，以尊周也。」公蹙然曰：「古之臣乎！」 |
| | Yanzi replied, "In ancient times, those who established a state would look south to the Nandou constellation and have the Shuxing star above them in the north; how could there be morning or evening then!" "Yet, what is considered evening today stems from the Zhou dynasty's establishment of states; placing the west side as evening honors the Zhou." The duke looked worried and said, "What loyal ministers those were in ancient times!"
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| | 景公病水... : |
景公病水，臥十數日，夜瞢與二日鬥，不勝。晏子朝，公曰：「夕者瞢與二日鬥，而寡人不勝，我其死乎？」 |
| | Jing Gong was suffering from water illness and lay ill for more than ten days. At night, he had a dream in which he fought with two suns but could not win. Yan Zi went to court, and the ruler said, "Last night I had a dream in which I fought with two suns, but I could not defeat them. Am I going to die?"
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| | 景公病水... : |
晏子對曰：「請召占瞢者。」出于閨，使人以車迎占瞢者。至，曰：「曷為見召？」 |
| | Yan Zi replied, "Please summon the diviner who interprets dreams." He went out from his chamber and sent someone in a carriage to fetch the dream interpreter. When he arrived, he asked, "Why have I been summoned?"
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| | 景公病水... : |
晏子曰：「夜者，公瞢二日與公鬥，不勝。公曰：『寡人死乎？』故請君占瞢，是所為也。」占瞢者曰：「請反具書。」 |
| | Yan Zi said, "Last night, the ruler had a dream in which two suns fought with him and he did not prevail." The ruler said, "Am I going to die?" "Therefore, we have invited you to interpret the dream; this is why." The dream interpreter said, "Please bring back my books."
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| | 景公病水... : |
晏子曰：「毋反書。公所病者，陰也，日者，陽也。一陰不勝二陽，故病將已。以是對。」占瞢者入，公曰：「寡人瞢與二日鬥而不勝，寡人死乎？」占瞢者對曰：「公之所病，陰也，日者，陽也。一陰不勝二陽，公病將已。」 |
| | Yan Zi said, "Do not return the books. The ruler's illness is yin; the suns are yang. One yin cannot overcome two yangs, so the illness will soon be cured. Say this as your response." The dream interpreter entered, and the ruler asked, "Last night I had a dream of fighting with two suns but did not win. Am I going to die?" The dream interpreter replied, "What the ruler is suffering from is yin; a sun represents yang. One yin cannot overcome two yangs; therefore, the ruler's illness will soon be cured."
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| | 景公病水... : |
居三日，公病大愈，公且賜占瞢者。占瞢者曰：「此非臣之力，晏子教臣也。」公召晏子，且賜之。晏子曰：「占瞢者以占之言對，故有益也。使臣言之，則不信矣。此占瞢之力也，臣無功焉。」 |
| | After three days, the ruler's condition greatly improved, and he was about to reward the dream interpreter. The dream interpreter said, "This is not due to my own ability; it was Yan Zi who instructed me." The ruler summoned Yan Zi and intended to reward him. Yan Zi said, "The dream interpreter responded with the correct interpretation of the dream, so it was beneficial. Had I spoken these words myself, they would not have been believed." This was the dream interpreter's achievement; I have no merit in it."
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| | 景公病水... : |
公兩賜之，曰：「以晏子不奪人之功，以占瞢者不蔽人之能。」 |
| | The ruler rewarded both of them, saying, "Because Yan Zi did not take credit away from others, and because the dream interpreter did not conceal another's ability."
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| | 景公病瘍... : |
景公病疽，在背，高子國子請。公曰：「職當撫瘍。」高子進而撫瘍，公曰：「熱乎？」曰：「熱。」「熱何如？」曰：「如火。」「其色何如？」曰：「如未熱李。」「大小何如？」曰：「如豆。」「墮者何如？」曰：「如屨辨。」二子者出，晏子請見。公曰：「寡人有病，不能勝衣冠以出見夫子，夫子其辱視寡人乎？」 |
| | Jinggong was suffering from a carbuncle on his back, and Gaozi Guozi made a request. The ruler said, "It is my duty to care for the wound." Gaozi stepped forward and tended to the wound. The ruler asked, "Is it hot?" He replied, "Yes, it is." "How hot is it?" He replied, "Like fire." "What color is it?" 茏 He replied, "It is the color of an unripe plum." "How big or small is it?" He replied, "As big as a bean." "What if it falls off?" He replied, "It would be like a shoe sole." After the two men left, Yanzhi requested an audience. The ruler said, "I am ill and unable to put on my clothes and hat to come out and see you, Master. Would you be so kind as to visit me?"
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| | 景公病瘍... : |
晏子入，呼宰人具盥，御者具巾，刷手溫之，發席傅薦，跪請撫瘍。公曰：「其熱何如？」曰：「如日。」「其色何如？」曰：「如蒼玉。」「大小何如？」曰：「如璧。」「其墮者何如？」曰：「如珪。」晏子出，公曰：「吾不見君子，不知野人之拙也。」 |
| | Yanzhi entered, called the cook to prepare water for washing hands, ordered the attendant to bring a towel, washed his hands and warmed them, spread out the mat with padding, knelt down, and requested permission to tend to the wound. The ruler asked, "How hot is it?" He replied, "Like the sun." "What color is it?" He replied, "It is like blue jade." "How big or small is it?" He replied, "As large as a jade disc." "What if it falls off?" He replied, "It would be like a jade tablet." After Yanzhi left, the ruler said, "I did not see a gentleman until now; I had no idea how crude and unrefined an ordinary person is."
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| | 晏子使吳... : |
晏子使吳，吳王謂行人曰：「吾聞晏嬰，蓋北方辯于辭，習于禮者也。命擯者『客見則稱天子請見。』」 |
| | Yan Zi was sent as an envoy to Wu, and King of Wu said to the official in charge of foreign affairs: "I have heard that Yan Ying is a man who excels in eloquence and is well-versed in rites from the north." He ordered the official to say, "When guests wish to see him, they must declare that the Son of Heaven requests an audience." ""
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| | 晏子使吳... : |
明日，晏子有事，行人曰：「天子請見。」晏子蹙。行人又曰：「天子請見。」晏子蹙然。又曰：「天子請見。」晏子蹙然者，曰：「臣受命敝邑之君，將使于吳王之所，以不敏而迷惑，入于天子之朝，問吳王惡乎存？」然後吳王曰：「夫差請見。」見之以諸侯之禮。 |
| | The next day, Yan Zi had an errand. The official in charge of foreign affairs said, "The Son of Heaven requests to see you." Yan Zi frowned. The official in charge of foreign affairs again said, "The Son of Heaven requests to see You." Yan Zi looked worried. He said again, "The Son of Heaven requests to see." Yan Zi, looking worried, said, "I received orders from my lord of the humble state to serve as an envoy at King Wu's court. Due to my lack of ability and confusion, I have mistakenly entered the Son of Heaven's court. Where is King Wu?" Then King Wu said, "Fuchai requests an audience." He received him with the rites for a feudal lord.
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| | 晏子使楚... : |
晏子使楚，以晏子短，楚人為小門于大門之側而延晏子。晏子不入，曰：「使狗國者，從狗門入；今臣使楚，不當從此門入。」儐者更道從大門入，見楚王。王曰：「齊無人耶？」 |
| | Yan Zi was sent as an envoy to Chu. Because Yan Zi was short, the people of Chu made a small gate on the side of the main entrance and invited Yan Zi through it. Yan Zi did not enter but said, "An envoy to a country of dogs enters through the dog's gate; now I am an envoy to Chu and should not enter from this gate." The attendants then changed the route so that Yan Zi entered through the main gate, where he was received by King Chu. The king said, "Does Qi have no people?"
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| | 晏子使楚... : |
晏子對曰：「臨淄三百閭，張袂成陰，揮汗成雨，比肩繼踵而在，何為無人？」 |
| | Yan Zi replied, "Linzi has three hundred li. When the sleeves are extended, they form shade; when people perspire, it becomes rain. People stand shoulder to shoulder and follow one another closely—how could there be no people?"
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| | 晏子使楚... : |
王曰：「然則子何為使乎？」 |
| | The king said, "If that is so, then why have you been sent as an envoy?"
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| | 晏子使楚... : |
晏子對曰：「齊命使，各有所主，其賢者使使賢王，不肖者使使不肖王。嬰最不肖，故直使楚矣。」 |
| | Yan Zi replied, "Qi assigns envoys according to their responsibilities. The virtuous are sent as envoys to a virtuous king, and the unworthy are sent as envoys to an unworthy king." "I, Ying, am the most unworthy, so I have been directly assigned to Chu."
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| | 楚王欲辱... : |
晏子將至楚，楚聞之，謂左右曰：「晏嬰，齊之習辭者也，今方來，吾欲辱之，何以也？」 |
| | Yan Zi was about to arrive in Chu. Upon hearing this, the ruler of Chu said to his attendants: "Yan Ying is a man well-versed in eloquence from Qi. Now he is coming here. I want to humiliate him. How can I do that?"
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| | 楚王欲辱... : |
左右對曰：「為其來也，臣請縛一人，過王而行，王曰：『何為者也？』對曰：『齊人也。』王曰：『何坐？』曰：『坐盜。』」 |
| | The attendants replied: "When he arrives, Your Majesty, we will have a man bound and made to pass by you. You may ask, 'What is this man doing here?'" The reply would be: "He is a native of Qi." The ruler said, "What crime has he committed?" They replied: "He is guilty of theft." "
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| | 楚王欲辱... : |
晏子至，楚王賜晏子酒，酒酣，吏二縛一人詣王，王曰：「縛者曷為者也？」對曰：「齊人也，坐盜。」 |
| | When Yan Zi arrived, the ruler of Chu offered him wine. When they were merry with drink, two officials bound a man and brought him before the king. The king said: "What is this bound man?" They replied: "He is a native of Qi, guilty of theft."
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| | 楚王欲辱... : |
王視晏子曰：「齊人固善盜乎？」 |
| | The king looked at Yan Zi and said: "Are the people of Qi naturally good at stealing?"
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| | 楚王欲辱... : |
晏子避席對曰：「嬰聞之，橘生淮南則為橘，生于淮北則為枳，葉徒相似，其實味不同。所以然者何？水土異也。今民生長於齊不盜，入楚則盜，得無楚之水土使民善盜耶？」 |
| | Yan Zi left his seat and replied: "I have heard that when the citrus tree grows south of the Huai River, it produces oranges; but when it grows north of the Huai River, its fruit becomes zhi. Their leaves may look similar, but their fruits taste different." "Why is this so?" "Because the water and soil are different." "A man who grows up in Qi does not steal, but enters Chu and becomes a thief. Could it be that the water and soil of Chu make its people good at stealing?"
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| | 楚王欲辱... : |
王笑曰：「聖人非所與熙也，寡人反取病焉。」 |
| | The king laughed and said: "A sage is not someone to be trifled with. I have only embarrassed myself."
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| | 楚王饗晏... : |
景公使晏子於楚，楚王進橘，置削，晏子不剖而並食之。 |
| | Jinggong sent Yanzi to Chu. King of Chu presented tangerines, placed a knife for peeling, and Yanzi ate them without peeling the skin.
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| | 楚王饗晏... : |
楚王曰：「當去剖。」晏子對曰：「臣聞之，賜人主之前者，瓜桃不削，橘柚不剖。今者萬乘無教令，臣故不敢剖；不然，臣非不知也。」 |
| | King of Chu said, "One should remove the peel." Yanzi replied, "I have heard that when fruits are presented before a ruler, melons and peaches need not be peeled, and tangerines and pomelos need not be cut open." Now that the ruler of ten thousand chariots has given no instructions, I therefore dared not peel them; "Otherwise, it is not that I do not know how to."
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| | 晏子布衣... : |
景公飲酒，田桓子侍，望見晏子，而復於公曰：「請浮晏子。」公曰：「何故也？」無宇對曰：「晏子衣緇布之衣，麋鹿之裘，棧軫之車，而駕駑馬以朝，是隱君之賜也。」公曰：「諾。」 |
| | Jinggong was drinking wine when Tian Huanzi waited on him. He caught sight of Yanzi and reported to the king, saying, "Please toast Yanzi." The king asked, "What is the reason?" Wuyu replied, "Yanzi wears a robe of zhibu cloth, a coat made from sika deer fur, rides in a cart with wooden axles, and is drawn by a poor-quality horse when he goes to court. This hides the king's gifts." The king said, "Agreed."
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| | 晏子布衣... : |
晏子坐，酌者奉觴進之，曰：「君命浮子。」 |
| | Yanzi was seated when the wine server presented a cup and said, "His Majesty has ordered you to be toasted."
|
| | 晏子布衣... : |
晏子曰：「何故也？」田桓子曰：「君賜之卿位以尊其身，寵之百萬以富其家，群臣其爵莫尊于子，祿莫重于子。今子衣緇布之衣，麋鹿之裘，棧軫之車，而駕駑馬以朝，是則隱君之賜也。故浮子。」 |
| | Yanzi asked, "What is the reason?" Tian Huanzi said, "The king has bestowed upon you the rank of qing to honor your person and granted you a fortune of one million to enrich your family. Among all officials, no title is higher than yours, and no salary is heavier than yours. Now you wear a robe of zhibu fabric, a coat made from sika deerskin, ride in a cart with wooden axels, and are drawn by an inferior horse when going to court. This is hiding the king's gifts." Therefore, we toast you."
|
| | 晏子布衣... : |
晏子避席曰：「請飲而後辭乎，其辭而後飲乎？」公曰：「辭然後飲。」 |
| | Yanzi left his seat and said, "Shall I drink first and then make my explanation, or shall I explain first and then drink?" The king said, "Explain first, then drink."
|
| | 晏子布衣... : |
晏子曰：「君之賜卿位以尊其身，嬰非敢為顯受也，為行君令也；寵以百萬以富其家，嬰非敢為富受也，為通君賜也。臣聞古之賢臣，有受厚賜而不顧其國族，則過之；臨事守職，不勝其任，則過之。君之內隸，臣之父兄，若有離散，在于野鄙，此臣之罪也。君之外隸，臣之所職，若有播亡，在于四方，此臣之罪也。兵革之不完，戰車之不修，此臣之罪也。若夫弊車駑馬以朝，意者非臣之罪乎？且臣以君之賜，父之黨無不乘車者，母之黨無不足于衣食者，妻之黨無凍餒者，國之閒士待臣而後舉火者數百家。如此者，為彰君賜乎，為隱君賜乎？」 |
| | Yanzi said, "Your Majesty has bestowed the rank of qing upon me to honor my person. I do not dare accept it for personal glory but in order to carry out Your Majesty's commands; the fortune of one million granted to enrich my family—I do not dare accept it for wealth but in order to distribute Your Majesty's gifts. I have heard that ancient virtuous ministers who accepted generous rewards without considering their country and clan were excessive; when faced with matters, if they held office but failed to fulfill their duties, that was also excessive. If the king's subjects within his domain—my father and elder brothers—are in a state of dispersion, living in remote villages, that is my crime. The king's subjects outside the domain are under my responsibility; if any of them have scattered and fled to all directions, that is also my crime. If weapons and armor are incomplete or war chariots not properly maintained, that is my crime as well. To ride in a worn-out cart drawn by an inferior horse to court—could this possibly not be my crime?" Moreover, with the king's gifts, none of my father's relatives lack a carriage; none of my mother's relatives suffer from lack of clothing or food; none of my wife's relatives are left to freeze or starve. Hundreds of idle scholars in the state depend on me for their livelihoods. In such a case, is this revealing Your Majesty's gifts or concealing them?"
|
| | 晏子布衣... : |
公曰：「善！為我浮無宇也。」 |
| | The king said, "Well said! Toast Wuyu for me."
|
| | 田無宇請... : |
田桓子見晏子獨立于墻陰，曰：「子何為獨立而不憂？何不求四鄉之學士可者而與坐？」 |
| | Tian Huanzi saw Yanzi standing alone in the shade of a wall and said, "What are you doing standing alone without worry?" "Why don't you seek out learned men from the four quarters who are suitable and sit with them?"
|
| | 田無宇請... : |
晏子曰：「共立似君子，出言而非也。嬰惡得學士之可者而與之坐？且君子之難得也，若美山然，名山既多矣，松柏既茂矣，望之相相然，盡目力不知厭。而世有所美焉，固欲登彼相相之上，仡仡然不知厭。小人者與此異，若部婁之未登，善，登之無蹊，維有楚棘而已；遠望無見也，俛就則傷嬰，惡能無獨立焉？且人何憂，靜處遠慮，見歲若月，學問不厭，不知老之將至，安用從酒！」 |
| | Yanzi said, "Standing together seems like a gentleman, but his words are not those of one." "How could I, Ying, find learned men who are suitable to sit with?" Moreover, gentlemen are hard to find; they are like beautiful mountains. Famous mountains are already numerous, cypress and pine trees are already lush, looking at them appears grand and imposing, yet even with all one's eyesight, one never tires of gazing. And the world has its beauties; thus, one naturally wishes to ascend to that grand height, standing tall and proud without ever tiring. As for petty people, they are different; it is like a hill that has not yet been climbed. It seems good to climb, but there is no path—only thorny brambles. From afar it cannot be seen; when one approaches closely, it harms Ying. How could I not stand alone then? Moreover, what is there to worry about? Remaining calm and thinking ahead, seeing years as months, pursuing learning without tiring, unaware that old age is approaching—why should one need to follow others in drinking!"
|
| | 田無宇請... : |
田桓子曰：「何謂從酒？」晏子曰：「無客而飲，謂之從酒。今若子者，晝夜守尊，謂之從酒也。」 |
| | Tian Huanzi said, "What do you mean by 'following wine'?" Yanzi said, "Drinking without guests is called following wine." "Someone like you, who guards the wine vessel day and night, is what I call following wine."
|
| | 田無宇勝... : |
欒氏、高氏欲逐田氏、鮑氏，田氏、鮑氏先知而遂攻之。高彊曰：「先得君，田、鮑安往？」遂攻虎門。二家召晏子，晏子無所從也。從者曰：「何為不助田、鮑？」 |
| | The Luan clan and Gao clan wanted to expel the Tian clan and Bao clan, but the Tian clan and Bao clan learned of this in advance and attacked them first. Gao Qiang said, "We should capture the ruler first; where could the Tians and Baos go then?" They then attacked Humen. The two clans summoned Yanzi, but Yanzi did not side with either of them. A follower asked, "Why are you not helping the Tians and Baos?"
|
| | 田無宇勝... : |
晏子曰：「何善焉，其助之也。」「何為不助欒、高？」曰：「庸愈于彼乎？」門開，公召而入。欒、高不勝而出，田桓子欲分其家，以告晏子。 |
| | Yanzi said, "What good is there in that? I would not help them." "Why are you not helping the Luan and Gao clans?" He said, "Are they better than those others?" The gates were opened, and the ruler summoned them in. The Luan and Gao forces failed to win and withdrew; Tian Huanzi wanted to divide their family's property and informed Yanzi about it.
|
| | 田無宇勝... : |
晏子曰：「不可！君不能飭法，而群臣專制，亂之本也。今又欲分其家，利其貨，是非制也。子必致之公。且嬰聞之，廉者，政之本也；讓者，德之主也。欒、高不讓，以至此禍，可毋慎乎！廉之謂公正，讓之謂保德，凡有血氣者，皆有爭心，怨利生孽，維義可以為長存。且分爭者不勝其禍，辭讓者不失其福，子必勿取。」 |
| | Yanzi said, "No! The ruler is unable to uphold the law, and his ministers exercise arbitrary power; this is the root of disorder. Now you also want to divide their family's estate and benefit from their wealth—this is not in accordance with proper conduct. You must certainly present it to the ruler." Moreover, I have heard that integrity is the foundation of governance; humility is the essence of virtue. The Luan and Gao clans failed to show humility, which led to this disaster; can you not be cautious!" Integrity means fairness, and humility means preserving virtue. All beings with blood and breath have a tendency to compete; resentment over profit gives rise to calamity. Only righteousness can ensure lasting stability. Moreover, those who engage in contention will not escape disaster, while those who practice humility do not lose their blessings; you must certainly refrain from taking it."
|
| | 田無宇勝... : |
桓子曰：「善。」盡致之公，而請老于劇。 |
| | Huanzi said, "You are right." He presented all of it to the ruler and requested retirement in Ju.
|
| | 子尾疑晏... : |
慶氏亡，分其邑，與晏子邶殿，其鄙六十，晏子勿受。子尾曰：「富者，人之所欲也，何獨弗欲？」 |
| | The Qing family perished, and their fief was divided; it was given to Yan Zi Baodian, along with sixty border villages. Yan Zi refused to accept them. Zi Wei said, "Wealth is what people desire; why should you alone not want it?"
|
| | 子尾疑晏... : |
晏子對曰：「慶氏之邑足欲，故亡。吾邑不足欲也，益之以邶殿，迺足欲；足欲，亡無日矣。在外不得宰吾一邑，不受邶殿，非惡富也，恐失富也。且夫富，如布帛之有幅焉，為之制度，使無遷也。夫生厚而用利，于是乎正德以幅之，使無黜慢，謂之幅利，利過則為敗，吾不敢貪多，所謂幅也。」 |
| | Yan Zi replied, "The fief of the Qing family was sufficient to satisfy desires, which is why they perished." My own fief is insufficient for desire; adding Baodian to it would make it enough to satisfy desire; Once desires are satisfied, there will be no day left before ruin. While I cannot govern even one fief outside, I do not accept Baodian—not because I dislike wealth, but because I fear losing it. Moreover, wealth is like the width of a piece of cloth or silk; one must establish regulations for it so that it does not shift. When life is abundant and resources are used efficiently, one must then establish proper virtue to regulate them, ensuring no neglect or carelessness; this is called regulating profit. When profit exceeds its bounds, it becomes failure. I dare not be greedy for more—this is what is meant by regulation."
|
| | 景公祿晏... : |
景公祿晏子以平陰與棠邑，反市者十一社。晏子辭曰：「吾君好治宮室，民之力弊矣；又好盤游翫好，以飭女子，民之財竭矣；又好興師，民之死近矣。弊其力，竭其財，近其死，下之疾其上甚矣！此嬰之所為不敢受也。」 |
| | Jinggong gave Lu Yanzi Pingyin and Tang Yi, and eleven she of people who returned to the market. Lu Yanzi declined, saying: "My ruler is fond of building palaces, and the people's strength has been exhausted; and he also likes to indulge in leisurely outings and pleasures, using them to decorate women, and the people's wealth has been drained; And he is fond of raising armies, which brings death close to the people." Exhausting their strength, draining their wealth, and bringing them near to death—how greatly the subjects hate their ruler! "This is why I, Ying, dare not accept [these gifts]."
|
| | 景公祿晏... : |
公曰：「是則可矣。雖然，君子獨不欲富與貴乎？」晏子曰：「嬰聞為人臣者，先君後身；安國而度家，宗君而處身，曷為獨不欲富與貴也！」 |
| | The ruler said: "This is acceptable. "Nevertheless, do gentlemen not also desire wealth and rank?" Lu Yanzi said: "I have heard that as a minister, one should put the ruler before oneself; to secure the state and measure the household, to revere the ruler and conduct oneself accordingly—how could one not desire wealth and rank!"
|
| | 景公祿晏... : |
公曰：「然則曷以祿夫子？」晏子對曰：「君商漁鹽，關市譏而不征；耕者十取一焉；弛刑罰──若死者刑，若刑者罰，若罰者免。若此三言者，嬰之祿，君之利也。」公曰：「此三言者，寡人無事焉，請以從夫子。」公既行若三言，使人問大國，大國之君曰：「齊安矣。」使人問小國，小國之君曰：「齊不加我矣。」 |
| | The ruler said: "If that is so, then what salary should be given to you, Master?" Lu Yanzi replied: "Your Majesty taxes the merchants of fish and salt, and levies tolls at the customs and markets; farmers pay one-tenth; and lighten punishments—those who would be put to death receive corporal punishment, those who would receive corporal punishment are fined, and those who would be fined are exempted. If these three policies are implemented, then I, Ying's salary, will benefit the ruler." The ruler said: "These three policies, I have no objections to them; please allow me to follow you, Master." After the ruler implemented these three policies, he sent someone to inquire about the great states; the rulers of the great states said: "Qi is at peace now." He sent someone to inquire about the small states, and the rulers of the small states said: "Qi will no longer attack us."
|
| | 景公以晏... : |
晏子方食，景公使使者至。分食食之，使者不飽，晏子亦不飽。使者反，言之公。 |
| | Yan Zi was just about to eat when King Jing sent an envoy. They divided the food and ate it, but the envoy did not get full, nor did Yan Zi. The envoy returned and reported this to the king.
|
| | 景公以晏... : |
公曰：「嘻！晏子之家，若是其貧也。寡人不知，是寡人之過也。」使吏致千金與市租，請以奉賓客。晏子辭，三致之，終再拜而辭曰：「嬰之家不貧。以君之賜，澤覆三族，延及交遊，以振百姓，君之賜也厚矣！嬰之家不貧也。嬰聞之，夫厚取之君，而施之民，是臣代君君民也，忠臣不為也。厚取之君，而不施于民，是為筐篋之藏也，仁人不為也。進取于君，退得罪于士，身死而財遷於它人，是為宰藏也，智者不為也。夫十總之布，一豆之食，足于中免矣。」 |
| | The king said, "Ah! Yan Zi's family is so poor. I did not know this; it is my fault." He ordered the officials to present a thousand gold and market taxes, requesting that they be used to entertain guests. Yan Zi declined. The offer was made three times, but finally he bowed twice and refused, saying, "My family is not poor. With Your Majesty's gift, the grace has covered my three clans, extended to my friends and associates, and helped to support the common people. Your Majesty's kindness is already generous enough! My family is not poor." Yan Zi said, "I have heard that taking much from the king and giving it to the people is for a minister to act as if he were ruling the people in place of the king; loyal ministers do not do this. Taking much from the king but not distributing it to the people is merely hoarding in baskets and chests; benevolent men do not do this." To take from the king when advancing and yet commit offenses against the scholars when retreating, to die and have one's wealth transferred to others—that is called a minister's hoard; wise men do not do this." Ten zong of cloth, and one dou of food are sufficient for my needs and allow me to remain free from corruption within myself."
|
| | 景公以晏... : |
景公謂晏子曰：「昔吾先君桓公，以書社五百封管仲，不辭而受，子辭之何也？」 |
| | King Jing said to Yan Zi, "In the past, my late ancestor Duke Huan gave Guan Zhong five hundred shushe as a fief, and he did not refuse but accepted it. Why do you refuse this?"
|
| | 景公以晏... : |
晏子曰：「嬰聞之，聖人千慮，必有一失；愚人千慮，必有一得。意者管仲之失，而嬰之得者耶？故再拜而不敢受命。」 |
| | Yan Zi said, "I have heard that even a sage, after considering something a thousand times, will inevitably make one mistake; a fool, after considering something a thousand times as well, will surely gain one insight. Perhaps it was Guan Zhong's mistake that I have now corrected?" Therefore, I bowed twice and dared not accept the order."
|
| | 景公以晏... : |
晏子相齊，衣十升之布，脫粟之食，五卯、苔菜而已。左右以告公，公為之封邑，使田無宇致臺與無鹽。晏子對曰：「昔吾先君太公受之營丘，為地五百里，為世國長，自太公至于公之身，有數十公矣。苟能說其君以取邑，不至公之身，趣齊搏以求升土，不得容足而寓焉。嬰聞之，臣有德益祿，無德退祿，惡有不肖父為不肖子為封邑以敗其君之政者乎？」遂不受。 |
| | Yan Zi served as prime minister of Qi, wearing cloth made from ten measures of hemp and eating plain rice with only five mao and mossy vegetables. The attendants informed the ruler, who then granted him a fief in appreciation. He sent Tian Wuyu to present the estate of Tai and Wuyan to Yan Zi. Yan Zi replied, "In the past, my ancestor Tai Gong received Yingqiu, an area of five hundred li in size, and it became a hereditary state. From Tai Gong to your present person, there have been dozens of rulers." "If one could persuade their ruler to grant a fief, it would not have come down to your present person. If they hurriedly sought land from Qi and Bo in order to obtain even an acre of soil, there would be no place for them to stand or take refuge." Ying heard that a minister who has virtue receives increased rank, while one without virtue should be demoted. How could there possibly be an unvirtuous father and son who receive fiefs to undermine their ruler's administration?" He thus refused to accept it.
|
| | 景公欲更... : |
景公欲更晏子之宅，曰：「子之宅近市湫隘，囂塵不可以居，請更諸爽塏者。」 |
| | Jinggong wanted to replace Yanzi's residence and said, "Your house is close to the market, low-lying and narrow. It is noisy with dust and unsuitable for living; please allow me to give you a better one."
|
| | 景公欲更... : |
晏子辭曰：「君之先臣容焉，臣不足以嗣之，于臣侈矣。且小人近市，朝夕得所求，小人之利也。敢煩里旅！」 |
| | Yanzi declined, saying, "My ancestors served your predecessors and were content with this house. I am unworthy to inherit their virtue; for me to live here would be excessive." Moreover, as a humble man living near the market, I can obtain what I need in the morning and evening; this is convenient for me. How dare I trouble you with such a matter!"
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| | 景公欲更... : |
公笑曰：「子近市，識貴賤乎？」 |
| | The duke smiled and said, "Since your house is near the market, do you know which things are expensive and which are cheap?"
|
| | 景公欲更... : |
對曰：「既竊利之，敢不識乎！」 |
| | Yanzi replied, "Since I secretly benefit from it, how could I not recognize such matters!"
|
| | 景公欲更... : |
公曰：「何貴何賤？」是時也，公繁于刑，有鬻踊者。故對曰：「踊貴而屨賤。」公愀然改容。公為是省于刑。君子曰：「仁人之言，其利博哉！晏子一言，而齊侯省刑。《》曰：『』其是之謂乎。」 |
| | The duke asked, "What is expensive and what is cheap?" At that time, the duke was heavy-handed in his use of punishment; there were people selling prosthetic feet. Therefore, Yanzi replied, "Prosthetic feet are expensive while shoes are cheap." The duke's expression suddenly turned grave. Because of this, the duke reduced his use of punishments. A man of virtue said, "The words of a benevolent person truly bring great benefit! With one sentence from Yanzi, Duke Qi reduced his punishments. The Book of Songs says: "When a gentleman is blessed, disorder among the people quickly ceases." This must be what it means.
|
| | 景公以晏... : |
景公有愛女，請嫁于晏子，公迺往燕晏子之家，飲酒，酣，公見其妻曰：「此子之內子耶？」 |
| | Jing Gong had a beloved daughter, and he requested to marry her to Yan Zi. The king then went to visit the home of Yan Zi for a banquet. After drinking heavily, the king saw his wife and said, "Is this your wife?"
|
| | 景公以晏... : |
晏子對曰：「然，是也。」 |
| | Yan Zi replied, "Yes, she is."
|
| | 景公以晏... : |
公曰：「嘻！亦老且惡矣。寡人有女少且姣，請以滿夫子之宮。」 |
| | The king said, "Ah!" "She is also old and ugly." "I have a daughter who is young and beautiful. I would like to give her to complete your household," said the king.
|
| | 景公以晏... : |
晏子違席而對曰：「乃此則老且惡，嬰與之居故矣，故及其少且姣也。且人固以壯託乎老，姣託乎惡，彼嘗託，而嬰受之矣。君雖有賜，可以使嬰倍其託乎？」再拜而辭。 |
| | Yan Zi left his seat and replied, "She is indeed old and ugly now, but I have lived with her for a long time. Therefore, I cherished her when she was young and beautiful." Moreover, people naturally rely on their youth in old age, and beauty in ugliness. She once relied on her youth and beauty, and I accepted that. "Although Your Majesty wishes to bestow a favor, could you make me betray the trust she placed in me?" He bowed twice and declined.
|
| | 景公以晏... : |
晏子朝，乘弊車，駕駑馬。景公見之曰：「嘻！夫子之祿寡耶？何乘不任之甚也？」 |
| | Yan Zi went to court riding an old carriage and driving a poor horse. King Jing saw him and said, "Hmph! Is your salary too meager? Why are you riding such a poor carriage and driving such an inferior horse?"
|
| | 景公以晏... : |
晏子對曰：「賴君之賜，得以壽三族，及國遊士，皆得生焉。臣得暖衣飽食，弊車駑馬，以奉其身，于臣足矣。」 |
| | Yan Zi replied, "By the grace of Your Majesty's favor, I am able to preserve my three generations of family and also support the traveling scholars in the state; all are able to live. I am provided with warm clothes, enough food, an old carriage and a poor horse, which are sufficient for me to maintain myself."
|
| | 景公以晏... : |
晏子出，公使梁丘據遺之輅車乘馬，三返不受。公不說，趣召晏子。晏子至，公曰：「夫子不受，寡人亦不乘。」 |
| | After Yan Zi left, the king sent Liangqiu Ju to give him a luxurious carriage and four fine horses. Yan Zi refused this gift three times. The king was displeased and quickly summoned Yan Zi. When Yan Zi arrived, the king said, "If you will not accept it, I shall also refrain from using it."
|
| | 景公以晏... : |
晏子對曰：「君使臣臨百官之吏，臣節其衣服飲食之養，以先國之民；然猶恐其侈靡而不顧其行也。今輅車乘馬，君乘之上，而臣亦乘之下，民之無義，侈其衣服飲食而不顧其行者，臣無以禁之。」遂讓不受。 |
| | Yan Zi replied, "Your Majesty has appointed me to oversee the officials. I regulate my clothing and food expenditures as an example for the people of the state; yet I am still afraid that they may indulge in extravagance without considering their conduct. Now, if the luxurious carriage and fine horses are used by Your Majesty above and also by me below, then for those among the people who lack righteousness and indulge in extravagant clothing and food without considering their conduct, I will have no means to forbid them." Thus he refused it repeatedly.
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| | 景公睹晏... : |
晏子相景公，食脫粟之食，炙三弋、五卯、苔菜耳矣。公聞之，往燕焉，睹晏子之食也。公曰：「嘻！夫子之家如此其貧乎！而寡人不知，寡人之罪也。」 |
| | Yan Zi served as prime minister to King Jinggong and ate only plain grain, roasted three ge, five mao, and mossy vegetables. The king heard about this, went to visit him, and saw what Yan Zi ate. The king said, "Ah! Is your household really this poor?!" And I did not know; it is my fault."
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| | 景公睹晏... : |
晏子對曰：「以世之不足也，免粟之食飽，士之一乞也；炙三弋，士之二乞也；五卯，士之三乞也。嬰無倍人之行，而有參士之食，君之賜厚矣！嬰之家不貧。」再拜而謝。 |
| | Yan Zi replied, "Because the world lacks enough resources, avoiding grain to eat until full is a scholar's one act of begging; roasting three ge is a scholar's second act of begging; five mao is a scholar's third act of begging. I have no conduct that surpasses others, yet I possess food equivalent to three acts of a scholar's begging; Your Majesty's favor is already generous! "My household is not poor." He bowed twice in gratitude.
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| | 晏子老辭... : |
晏子相景公，老，辭邑。公曰：「自吾先君定公至今，用世多矣，齊大夫未有老辭邑者矣。今夫子獨辭之，是毀國之故，棄寡人也。不可！」 |
| | Yan Zi served as prime minister to King Jinggong and, when he grew old, requested to resign from his fiefdom. The king said: "Since my late ancestor Duke Dinggong until now, many generations have passed, yet no official of the State of Qi has ever resigned from his fiefdom due to old age." "Now you alone request to resign, which would damage our state's tradition and abandon me." "I cannot allow it!"
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| | 晏子老辭... : |
晏子對曰：「嬰聞古之事君者，稱身而食；德厚而受祿，德薄則辭祿。德厚受祿，所以明上也；德薄辭祿，可以潔下也。嬰老薄無能，而厚受祿，是掩上之明，污下之行，不可。」 |
| | Yan Zi replied: "I have heard that in ancient times, those who served their ruler ate according to the measure of their abilities; those with great virtue received official rank and salary, while those with slight virtue would resign from such positions. Receiving a position due to one's virtue clarifies the ruler's benevolence; resigning from a position when one's virtue is slight can purify and inspire those below. "I am old, of slight virtue and lacking ability, yet I receive a generous salary—this would obscure the ruler's benevolence and taint the conduct of those below. It cannot be allowed."
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| | 晏子老辭... : |
公不許，曰：「昔吾先君桓公，有管仲恤勞齊國，身老，賞之以三歸，澤及子孫。今夫子亦相寡人，欲為夫子三歸，澤至子孫，豈不可哉？」 |
| | The king did not agree, saying: "In the past, my late ancestor Duke Huan of Qi had Guan Zhong who devoted himself to the State of Qi. When he grew old, he was rewarded with San Gui, and this favor extended to his descendants." "Now you also serve me. I wish to grant you San Gui as well, so that the favor will extend to your descendants—would this not be acceptable?"
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| | 晏子老辭... : |
對曰：「昔者管子事桓公，桓公義高諸侯，德備百姓。今嬰事君也，國僅齊于諸侯，怨積乎百姓，嬰之罪多矣，而君欲賞之，豈以其不肖父為不肖子厚受賞以傷國民義哉？且夫德薄而祿厚，智惛而家富，是彰污而逆教也，不可。」公不許。晏子出。異日朝，得閒而入邑，致車一乘而後止。 |
| | Yan Zi replied: "In the past, Guan Zhi served Duke Huan. Duke Huan's righteousness was esteemed by all the feudal lords and his virtue was complete among the people." "Now I serve Your Majesty, yet the state is barely equal to other feudal states and resentment has accumulated among the people. My crimes are numerous, yet you wish to reward me—how could this be done? Would it not be wrong for an unworthy father like me to receive generous rewards for his unworthiness, thereby harming the virtue of our nation's people?" "Moreover, if one has slight virtue but receives heavy rewards, or is ignorant yet possesses great wealth, this would highlight corruption and contradict proper instruction. It cannot be done." The king did not permit it. Yan Zi left the court. On another day, when he went to court and found an opportunity, he entered his fiefdom and only after receiving one carriage did he stop.
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| | 晏子病將... : |
晏子病，將死，鑿楹納書焉，謂其妻曰：「楹語也，子壯而示之。」及壯，發書之言曰：「布帛不可窮，窮不可飾；牛馬不可窮，窮不可服；士不可窮，窮不可任；國不可窮，窮不可竊也。」 |
| | Yan Zi was ill and on his deathbed, so he carved a beam to store writings inside it. He told his wife, "These are words for the beam; when our son grows up, show them to him." When he grew up, he opened the book and read what was written: "Fine cloth cannot be exhausted, but when it is exhausted, one cannot decorate oneself; oxen and horses cannot be exhausted, but when they are exhausted, one cannot ride them; scholars cannot be exhausted, but when exhausted, one cannot entrust responsibilities to them; a state cannot be exhausted, but once it is exhausted, it cannot be secretly taken over."
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