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Chinese Text Project
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-> -> -> -> Creating Resentment

《樹怨 - Creating Resentment 》

English translation: AI and Chinese Text Project users [?] Library Resources
1 樹怨:
郁離子曰:「樹天下之怨者,惟其重己而輕人也。所重在此,所輕在彼,故常自處其利而遺人以不利,高其智以下人之能,而不顧夫重己輕人,人情之所同也。我欲然,彼亦欲然,求其欲弗得則爭。故爭之弗能,而甘心以讓人者,勢有所不至,力有所不足也,非夫人之本心也。勢至力足而有所不為,然後為盛德之人,雖不求重於人,而天下之人莫得而輕之,是謂不求而自至。今人有悻悻自任者,矜其能以驕,有不自己出,則不問是非皆以為未當,發言盈庭,則畏之者唯唯,外之者默默焉。然後揚揚乎自以為得,而不知以其身為怨海,亦奚益哉?昔者智伯之亡也,惟其以五賢陵人也。人知笑智伯而不知檢其身,使亡國敗家接踵相繼,亦獨何哉?」
Yu Lizzi said: "Those who provoke resentment throughout the world do so only because they value themselves highly and look down upon others." They place great importance on themselves and consider others as light, so they often put themselves in advantageous positions while leaving disadvantages for others. They elevate their own intelligence to look down upon the abilities of others, without considering that valuing oneself highly and belittling others is a common human tendency. I desire it; he also desires it. When one's desires cannot be fulfilled, contention arises. Therefore, those who are unable to contend and willingly yield to others do so because the circumstances do not allow it or their strength is insufficient—it is not in accordance with a person's true nature. Only when one has the circumstances and strength to act but chooses not to, can he be considered a person of great virtue. Even if such a person does not seek recognition from others, people throughout the world will not dare to look down on him. This is what is meant by "not seeking it yet having it arrive naturally." Nowadays, there are people who stubbornly take matters upon themselves, pride themselves on their abilities and become arrogant. If something is not done by them personally, they do not inquire into whether it is right or wrong but consider everything as inappropriate. When such individuals speak in full assembly, those afraid of them nod silently, while others remain quiet and distant. Then they strut about proudly, believing themselves to have achieved something, yet they do not realize that their own actions have made them a sea of resentment. What benefit is there in this? In the past, Zhibo's downfall was due to his arrogance toward others by relying on five virtuous men. People know to laugh at Zhibo, yet they do not examine themselves; thus, the destruction of states and families occurs one after another. What else can be said about this?"

URN: ctp:yulizi/shuyuan