Chapter 13 Yong Ye Sixth-1

The previous article "Gongye Chang" was the first half of a dialogue discussion on the entire knowledge system of the first four articles. The sixth article "Yong Ye" in this article is connected with the nature of the fifth article, that is, discuss Confirmed second half of the episode. Idle imperial talent Here is one person. Zi said: "Yong Ye, you can send him to the south."Zhong Gong asked his son, Sang Bo.Confucius said: Yes, Jane.Zhong Gong said: "Isn't it okay to live in respect and practice simplicity to treat the people?"Living in a simple way and doing a simple thing, nothing is great simplicity?Confucius said: "Yong's words are true."

This book, like the previous one, uses the name of Chang Gongye as the title, and also uses the name of the student "Yong" as the title. "Gongye Chang" represents the body of cultivating virtue; "Yong Ye" represents the use of entering the industry.Yong was a well-known student of Confucius. His surname was Ran, his first name was Yong, and his style name was Zhonggong. He was twenty-nine years younger than Confucius.Among the proud disciples of Confucianism, he thinks that Yan Hui is good at both morality and learning; Zilu is generous, kind, and military first; Zigong is the first in politics, diplomacy, economics, etc.; another student he is most proud of , that is Ran Yong.He believes that "Yong Ye can make the south face." The so-called south face means that he has the great talent of being the king of the south face and ruling the world.When Confucius traveled around the world, every country was afraid of Confucius because he was too ostentatious.As soon as he came, he brought so many disciples, and among his disciples, there were people from all over the world, and there were all kinds of talents in his ideal country: Ran Yong could be the king, Zigong could be the prime minister, and Zilu could be the commander of the three armies. stand out.In this situation, who among the vassal states would dare to accept Confucius?When he stayed there, everyone was nervous.Therefore, if we study Confucius from the whole history, we can know that the reason why he is great and the reason why he became a sage is really self-made.It's not that he has no way, but he has a very way, as long as he said first: "Do it!"The problem is big.With his three thousand disciples, in the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period, any big country would not be able to bear it.

They can all be taken down by him.But Confucius didn't take this path, why didn't he take this path?This kind of moral cultivation is worthy of our study.If you are not clear about the historical materials at that time, it seems that Confucius became a sage because the scholars were forced to be poor and helpless, then he became a sage, then it is completely wrong, and this point deserves our special attention. Confucius proposed: "Yong Ye can be sent to the south." This means that the student Ran Yong has the talent of an emperor.Ancient emperors, according to traditional cultural concepts, must sit north to south, until the Qing Dynasty was overthrown by us, and this was the case for thousands of years.In ancient times, ordinary people were not allowed to build houses facing north and south. Especially in the Qing Dynasty, if ordinary people built houses facing north and south, once the local officials reported it, they would punish the nine clans with crimes.Are there houses facing the south of the common people?Yes, but the gate must be sideways, and it is not allowed to face south.Only the government offices of prefectures, counties, etc., or temples can sit north to south, and others cannot.This is the rule of the architectural direction in the era of Chinese autocracy.Also, houses in Beijing must not be higher than palaces in the past, otherwise it would be a crime.Therefore, the word "Nan Mian" is often synonymous with proclaiming emperor and king in ancient Chinese.

We can see another truth from these two books.The fifth chapter is Gongye Chang, who broke the law while sitting in prison, but Confucius married his daughter to him; the sixth chapter tells that it is Ran Yong who can be an emperor.And Ran Yong was originally the most pitiful person.His father was very bad, he was born in a poor and humble family. In terms of class concept, his father is a so-called inferior person, but his son has extraordinary talents.From these two cases, it can be seen that Confucius did not consider these things in the class-oriented society in ancient China.He only asked a young man if he was a talent, and if he was a talent, he should do what he should.So later he encouraged Ran Yong again and again.Of course, Ran Yongxia

There is also a kind of psychology in the consciousness - one's own background and one's family are like this, so it is inevitable to feel a little inferior psychologically.Confucius told him that there is no need to have this kind of mentality, a person has to stand up on his own.Therefore, in these two books, the first mentioned people are all in adversity, cultivated by Confucius, and can achieve success in learning and morality. Speaking of Ran Yong, he asked Confucius a question one day, discussing Zisang Bozi, as mentioned in this book, he is very open-minded.The use of the word open-minded in the culture after the Qin and Han Dynasties has a lot of connotations. "Historical Records" writes about Emperor Gaozu of the Han Dynasty, and there are also such words and sentences.The master refers to the magnanimity of measure. To put it nicely, it is open-minded; to put it bluntly, it means "playing around", an attitude of indifference. Wearing clothes and ties are crooked, buttons are not buttoned well, and maybe the collar is often turn up.This look is also half like open-mindedness - don't care.Zi Sang Bozi is one such person.

Open-minded people are often too simple.Regarding the word "Jane", it is worth studying.We need to understand in particular: the "simplification" mentioned by Confucius often has the same concept as the "thrifty" mentioned by Laozi.The definitions of these two words are almost exactly the same in ancient Chinese.It's just that the expressions of the two words are different.Confucius said that Zisang Bozi was simple, everything was simplified, almost open-minded, and his criticism was simple and clear.Then Ran Yong mentioned his thoughts.He said that being a leader should be "respectful and simple". If you have a respectful attitude toward one thing—handling things, and treating a person—treating others, things can naturally be simplified.To deal with the affairs of the common people and general social affairs in this way, it is

correct.If the inner spirit does not respect this matter, does not pay attention to the administrative organization, does not have a "dedication" mentality, but just doesn't care, it is used to flaunt simplification, and simplification is implemented for the purpose of simplification, which becomes a kind of trickery, a kind of Means are not political morality, and that would be an oversimplification.In our history and culture, as a leader, we should pay attention to the so-called "those who are good at the top will be worse at the bottom." People at the top like one thing or a kind of action, flaunt one thing or advocate a certain point, and the people below They acted like a group and made it more enthusiastic and over the top.Confucius heard Ran Yong's words and immediately said, "Your words are right, but I was wrong for a while."From this we can also see the sincerity and respect of Confucius' democratic attitude and teaching spirit.

The following is another important question asked by the most famous disciple. Duke Ai asked: "Which one of the disciples is eager to learn?"Confucius said to him: "There is Yan Hui who is eager to learn, does not vent his anger, and does not make mistakes. Unfortunately, he has a short life and died."Now it is dead, and I have never heard of a good scholar. Duke Ai of Lu asked, among your students, which one can truly inherit your knowledge?Who is the best to learn from?Confucius said, only Yan Hui.He believed that it was Yan Hui who inherited the tradition of learning. He did not necessarily have the talent of an emperor, but he had the demeanor of a teacher; while Ran Yong had the talent of a monarch.Where is Yan Huizu's knowledge and virtue as a teacher? "Don't vent your anger, don't let it go." But "Unfortunately, he died short-lived." It's a pity that he is already dead. "Today is also perish", now there is no more. "I have never heard of a good scholar", and I will never find another person who is eager to learn.This passage also proves one of our notions - learning does not refer exclusively to literary knowledge.

What we want to discuss now is "don't vent your anger, don't let it go." We will never be able to do these six words in our whole life.Confucius also believed that, apart from Yan Hui, among the three thousand disciples, there was no other person.Every person is prone to fall into these six words. "Release anger" means to lose our temper randomly. We all have the experience of venting anger.For example, the ones we are most likely to vent our anger on are our own family members. When we get angry and go home outside, our wife kindly comes forward and asks, "You came back so late today?" So I say to my wife, "Don't hate me!" up.In fact, it’s not scolding my wife. I got angry outside and had nowhere to vent my anger on my wife. That’s why we sometimes have to forgive our officers and our friends.Many people have been scolded by their superiors. If you study carefully, this senior has something wrong in the morning. When you go to him when you are troubled, you will naturally be scolded by him. This is because you have been angered.The same is true for dealing with things. We have seen that in history, some people have become the great sinners of history, because they vented their anger.Some even gambled away the whole country because they were dissatisfied with a certain person.It's so hard not to vent your anger.

When the emperor can be angry We tell two stories: Before the First World War, Bismarck, the famous German chancellor, and King Wilhelm I were famous partners.Germany was strong at that time, not only because of Bismarck, the prime minister, but also because of this tolerant and generous emperor.When William I returned to the harem, he was often so angry that he smashed things, threw teacups, and sometimes even smashed some precious utensils.The queen asked him, "Are you angry with that old man Bismarck again?" William I said, "Yes!" The queen said, "Why do you always have to be angry with him?" William I said, "You don't understand. He is the prime minister, under one person, above ten thousand people. He has to take the anger of the many people below. Where can he get angry? He has to take it out on me! Where can I be the emperor? It's a teacup!" That's why he was able to succeed, and that's why Germany was so strong at that time.

Another story.Zhu Yuanzhang's Empress Ma is also a remarkable figure.After Zhu Yuanzhang became the emperor, one day he talked and laughed with the queen in the back palace. The two had a happy conversation. Zhu Yuanzhang suddenly patted his thigh and jumped up happily and said, "I never thought that I, Zhu Yuanzhang, would also be the emperor!" The way he looked when he was humble, this was very out of character.At that time, there were two eunuchs standing beside him, but he didn't notice.After Zhu Yuanzhang went out, Empress Ma immediately said to the two eunuchs: "The emperor is coming back soon. One of you pretends to be dumb and the other pretends to be deaf. Otherwise, both of you will die. Remember, be obedient!" Sure enough, Zhu Yuanzhang was outside Thinking about it, something is wrong, the gaffe just now will be passed on to the two eunuchs in the future, that's okay.So I went back to the harem, and after questioning, one of the two eunuchs was dumb and couldn't speak;Otherwise, wouldn't the two heads fall off?So Queen Ma is also a famous good queen in history. This refers to the self-cultivation of life and venting anger. If you are not happy about something, if you lose your temper to others, you cannot reflect on yourself.Especially those who lead others should pay special attention. The second point is the most difficult, "no two mistakes".The so-called two mistakes, the first time made a mistake, the second time again.It’s the same as when we smoke. We smoke this time and make up our mind not to smoke next time, but when the time comes, we start smoking again.To make the same mistake again is called "second fault".Confucius said that only Yan Hui could achieve the six words "don't vent your anger, don't blame yourself". If people can really do this, they are not saints, but they can be regarded as sages. There are still many meanings of "relaxing anger". In a word, we should try our best to "not vent anger, and don't go wrong." In fact, what we talk about "don't vent your anger, don't let it go" is just a small part of it.If you study it carefully, these two sentences summarize the entire philosophy of history, and also summarize the philosophy of human behavior.It is not easy for a person to cultivate himself to the point of "not venting anger, not letting offence".So Confucius praised Yan Hui again and again, there is reason for him. For example, when we say "blame others", it is an example of venting anger.It is a common thing for a person to complain to the sky when he is in trouble.When it comes to "blaming heaven", as Han Yu said, a person "calls heaven when he is extremely poor, and calls parents when he is extremely miserable." This is a natural phenomenon.Another example is Sima Qian's comment on "Li Sao" in "Historical Records": "Heaven is the beginning of man; parents are the foundation of man. People are poor and go back to their roots. Therefore, they are extremely tired, and they call heaven; The pain is miserable, so I don’t want to call my parents.” The “poor” referred to here is not just called “poor” when there is no money.When a thing reaches the point of being desperate, it is called poverty.At this time, I often can't help but sigh: "Oh! My God!" When I suffer from unbearable pain, I often blurt out: "My God!" This is a natural reaction.When people feel helpless, they evade reality psychologically, thinking that this is a misfortune given to me by God. "Youren" means blaming others and blaming others. Anyway, it means "I am not wrong".There is a poem in ancient civilian literature that says: "It is difficult to make the sky April, the silkworms must be warm and the wheat must be cold. Pedestrians look at the sun, farmers look at the rain, and women picking mulberry look at the cloudy sky." Like this, what kind of genius is made in the sky? Is it a fine day?It is difficult to be a god, let alone a man?Therefore, it is inevitable for a person to serve a friend and be blamed by others.Especially for leaders, it is inevitable to be discussed by others.So Lao Tzu said: "Man follows the earth, the earth follows the sky, the sky follows the Tao, and the Tao follows nature", which means that we should imitate the vastness and tolerance of the heaven and the earth. As for the self-cultivation of "not to blame", it is a deeper level of skill than "not to vent anger". The momentum of the following article has changed again, which shows the twists and turns of the arrangement and the subtlety of the implicit order. Zhou Fu and Poverty Zihua was envoy to Qi, and Ranzi asked millet for his mother.Confucius said: "With the cauldron."Please benefit.Said: Yu Zhiyu.Ran Zi and Su Wubing.The Master said: "The red one is suitable for riding a fat horse, and the clothes are light fur."I've heard it: A gentleman is in a hurry to get rich. Zihua's name is Gong Xichi, a disciple of Confucius, forty-two years younger than Confucius.Once Gongxichi was sent out as an ambassador, and Confucius was probably in power at this time.Ran Qiu is Gong Xichi's classmate. Because Gong Xichi still has his mother at home, he asked for a ration in kind on behalf of Gong Xichi's mother, that is, please allocate a settling allowance.Confucius said, well, give him a cauldron. "Cauldron" is the unit of weight and measure in ancient times, six buckets and four liters make one kettle.This is the percentage of Migu, not many, so Ran Qiu "asked for help" for him.Ran Qiu spoke for his classmates, teacher, there is a little less in the pot, let him add some!So Confucius said, all right!Give him a Yu.Yu is the unit of capacity in ancient times, sixteen buckets.It is equivalent to saying that Confucius originally gave him 50,000 yuan, but now he has added 80,000 yuan.Probably at that time Ran Qiu was in charge of Confucius, "Once the power is in hand, the order will be carried out." For the sake of his classmates, regardless of Confucius' opinions, he also gave Wu Bing in batches.At that time, sixteen dendrobiums were one pack. Now, the number is quite large, and it seems to have been given three to five hundred thousand at once.Afterwards, Confucius knew about it, but he didn't blame Ran Qiu; this was also a kind of education.Of course, it is difficult to be an official now. In the past, as an official, you should be reasonable and reasonable in addition to the law.Unlike the current spirit of the times, which focuses on the rule of law and focuses on personnel regulations and personnel management, it often fails to take into account reason.Ran Qiu's handling of this matter, if Confucius It is wrong to talk about laws and regulations, and it is very likely that he will be dismissed and investigated.But Confucius did not pursue it. He always stood on the standpoint of education and said: "The red one is suitable for riding on a fat horse, and the clothes are light. I have heard it: a gentleman is anxious to get rich." It means to say to the students, You must know that Gongxi Chi was very proud when he went to Qi State this time; he took the first-class transportation and wore the first-class luggage.It is equivalent to dozens of suits and dozens of suitcases now.He has so many equipment fees and extra allowances, he can use some of them for his mother.We help others, to help others when they are in need.Gongxi Chi already has a solution, and giving him so much, wouldn't it be the icing on the cake? flower?This is unnecessary.This is also the principle of "asking for help should ask for a man, and helping others should help when there is no emergency". However, we often feel that helping others is a difficult task, which involves social and psychological problems.For example, there is a friend who is poor and sick, so I find some friends to pay for the treatment for him.It was also about this person. I went to find a friend three times, and after the fourth time, I had to find another friend.Sometimes, out of urgency, we can ask others: "Do it again!" But the other person's reply is: "Today is really not possible." We may reluctantly say: "This time is what I want!" up.But once someone died, friends enthusiastically contributed money and effort to help buy the coffin.Sometimes when encountering such a situation, it really makes people feel very emotional, and it also feels very strange.when When a certain person was in an emergency, running for him, it was not so smooth to find someone to help.And after he died, everyone enthusiastically helped him, sympathized with him, and pitied him for dying of poverty and illness.How good is this kind of psychology used in someone's life?Wouldn't it be better to use the money that was going to be used to buy the coffin after his death to pay a little more for his medical expenses during his lifetime?This has to be carefully considered.So what about moral behavior?After research, it is still more important to "help people when they are in need".Confucius said, "A gentleman is in a hurry to get rich." If you already have one, you don't have to give it to him. Judging from the events in Gongxi Chi, it seems that when Confucius was in charge, his financial management was relatively tight.But following this section of the book, another similar thing is mentioned, which proves that Confucius was not stingy with finances.The original thought was slaughtered, and nine hundred grains were given to him.resignation.Confucius said: No!So it's almost like a township party with your neighbors! Originally named Xian, styled Zisi, a student of Confucius.After the death of Confucius, he resigned and went back to the world.Later, when Zigong was in the guard, because he admired him very much, he went to see him, but he shaved his beard.When Zigong went there, there was a lot of pomp and circumstance; Yuan Xian deliberately dressed up as a country bumpkin and wore shabby clothes to meet Zigong.After meeting, Zigong said, "Are you sick?" Yuan Xian said, "I'm not sick. I don't have money, but I'm poor; I don't succeed in learning the Tao, I'm sick. Being like me is poor, not sick. But you have learned the way of a master, look at your air and style today..." Although Zi Gong was not able to step down from the stage, this also shows Yuan Xian's chivalrous spirit.Confucius when In political times, "the original thought is to be the slaughter", this "zai" is the housekeeper, in terms of today's position, it is equivalent to the general affairs.Confucius said "with it nine hundred", the number of nine hundred is impossible to verify, in short, it is a lot. "Ci", he doesn't want so much, hoping to lose a little.But Confucius said, don't refuse, you can donate to those poor relatives and friends if you can't run out. This section records two different attitudes of Confucius when he became an official.When Gongxi Chiwai was sent as an ambassador, his classmates helped him and asked for a little more settling allowance, but Confucius thought it was unnecessary; and Yuan Xian’s economic situation was relatively poor.Yuan Xian didn't want it, but Confucius persuaded him to accept it instead.From this story, we can see the demeanor of Confucius as a king, a relative, and a teacher.In addition to being an officer, he is also responsible as a parent and a teacher, educating students with real-life examples at any time. everybody is good for something This leads to the direct education of Zhong Gong.Zhong Gong is Ran Yong, the protagonist of this article and one of Confucius' most proud students.In the first sentence of this article, Confucius said that he has the talent to be an emperor-"can make the south".Earlier we introduced Zhong Gong's poor background, and his father's reputation was not very good at that time, probably very unsatisfactory in all aspects.But this son has outstanding talents and virtues.Therefore, Confucius tried his best to promote this student and give him special training. The son called Zhong Gong and said: "The son of the plow ox, with the horns and horns, don't use it even if you want to, how about mountains and rivers?" He advised Ran Yong not to have a subconscious sense of inferiority psychologically. "Li Niu" is the name of a kind of miscellaneous-haired cattle.In modern animal husbandry, mixed-haired cattle from the Netherlands are considered good breeds.But in ancient times, this kind of variegated cattle had no other uses except farming.Especially in solemn and solemn ceremonies such as offering sacrifices to ancestors and heaven and earth, cattle with bright and pure colors must be used as sacrifices.But this miscellaneous-haired cow gave birth to a handsome calf with reddish-yellow and shining horns.Although the variety of miscellaneous-haired cattle is not good, as long as the calf itself is in good condition, "don't use it even if you want to", even if you don't want to use it in the sacrificial ceremony, "Will the mountains and rivers give up?" The gods of mountains and rivers will not abandon it. of.Mountains and rivers sometimes represented gods in ancient times and the Spring and Autumn Period.Here, Confucius said that the god of heaven and earth must also enlighten people that they will not throw useful talents away for nothing.This is also to tell Zhong Gong, don't feel inferior in your heart, don't mind your family background, as long as you are really knowledgeable, talented, and really stand up, if others want to use you, the heaven, earth, ghosts and gods will not agree. Ran Yong's talent was mentioned above, and Yan Hui's virtue was mentioned below. The Master said: Hui Ye, his heart does not violate benevolence for three months.For the rest, the sun and the moon are at their peak. The word benevolence refers to the realm of internal nourishment, which is the body of benevolence mentioned in the previous chapter "Li Ren".It is also the realm of benevolence that Confucius told Zeng Shen that "my way is consistent".This aspect has not been explained yet, and I will explain the cultivation of benevolence in detail later when I have an opportunity.Now let's put aside the question of "benevolence" for a moment.Confucius said that Yan Hui could maintain the state of benevolence for three months.As for the other students, it was only by accident that "the sun and the moon came to Yan".Or there is a state of benevolence once a day, or once a few days, or once a month. Now let’s not talk about the cultivation of "benevolence", but first experience your own emotions in reverse: I think everyone has this kind of feeling. Experience, when you are in a good mood, even if you encounter problems or difficult things, you will still be in a very good mood and will not be disturbed by the outside world.But good times don't last long, and when the mood is bad, the matter of sesame and mung beans will make one's stomach sullen.To say that you don't get angry for three consecutive months, this step of self-cultivation is already rare, let alone "three months is not against benevolence".From this, it is not difficult for us to understand why Confucius repeatedly praised Yan Hui, the favorite student. After talking about internal cultivation, let's talk about external application. Each has its own merits Ji Kangzi asked: "Can Zhong You be entrusted with politics?"Confucius said: "From the result to the result, what is the use of politics?"Said: "Gift, can you give me a political career?"Said: "Giving is also great, what is the use in politics?"Said: Ask for it, can you be in politics?Said: Seeking art, what is the use of politics? Ji Kangzi, a doctor and powerful minister of the State of Lu.One day he asked Confucius about the talents of his students.Confucius answered one by one.From this, we can see the characters of these students, and at the same time, we can also see the education that Confucius believed was necessary for political affairs.Ji Kangzi first asked Zilu, a talented military commander, if he could be invited to be in power?Confucius said that Zilu's personality was too bold, he made decisions too quickly, and once he made up his mind, he never wavered.Decisive and courageous, he can be the commander in command of the three armies, and win decisively thousands of miles away.If he is asked to enter politics, I am afraid it is not suitable, because he is afraid that he will be too rigid and easy to break. Ji Kangzi then asked, would you like to ask Zigong to come out?Confucius said, no, no.Zigong is too sensible, sees things too clearly, fame and wealth are not in his eyes.Smart and understanding people don't necessarily have to keep a close eye on everything.For example, if the table is dirty, would you please wipe it off?A well-informed person thinks it makes no difference whether you wipe it or not, because if you wipe it, it will get dirty again, so it's okay not to wipe it.If someone says it must be wiped, and a wise person says it’s okay, and it’s always cleaner, then just wipe it!In short, people who see things clearly can often become great philosophers and writers.Because he has a detached mind and an indifferent spirit.But if you are in politics, it is not appropriate. Maybe it will be too clear and pretend to be confused. Having said that, I think of a joke.Of course, there is no such record in the official history, it is just a joke.Legend has it that Confucius traveled around the world and was trapped between Chen and Cai.One day the students came up with an idea, saying that everyone was too hungry, and there was a large family in front of them, so they went to borrow some rice.At first it was Zilu who volunteered to knock on the door.An old man came out and asked if it was a student of Confucius who came to borrow rice, so he wrote a letter for him to recognize.If you recognize it, you don’t need to borrow it, and you will receive board and lodging for all teachers and students for free. If you don’t recognize it, you won’t borrow a single grain of rice.Zilu thought for a moment, what problem do we have if we study literature with Master.So he fully agreed to this condition.The old man wrote the character "true" with "straight" on top and "eight" on the bottom for Zilu to recognize.After reading it, Zilu said: "This is the real character." After hearing this, the old man closed the door and said, "Go back and tell your teacher that you don't want to borrow it." Zilu came back wondering and reported to Confucius. I told you not to go, but you decided to go. These days, there is no food to eat, so why are you still 'serious'?" Hearing this, Zixia volunteered to borrow rice again.When I arrived there, I introduced myself as a classmate of Zilu and a student of Confucius.The old man still wrote the previous word for Zixia to recognize.Zixia thought to himself, just now Zilu was embarrassed, so he answered an antonym and said to the old man: "This is the word 'false'!" After hearing this, the old man closed the door and said, "You can't do it." Zixia When he came back and told the story, Confucius sighed and said, "You are such a bad person, you have to be 'serious' sometimes!" That is to say, both sides can be done well. On the surface, it is called Da Zhe. Speaking of this, I also think of Tao Yuanming's "Return to Lai Ci" and the story of not bending for five buckets of rice, which is also the word "Da". scope.At that time, the number of five buckets of rice was very large, which was equivalent to the current monthly salary of around 10,000.But Tao Yuanming quit and went home.But only he can do it.In the past, we Chinese have an old saying: "Don't do it, don't do it, go home and eat old rice!" Bending your waist is a salute, a bow!It's not that I broke my waist, half a bucket of rice is dry.Take a look at Tao Yuanming's "Return to the Home", he can plant five willows in front of his door, at least 50 pings of land, and now he can build a four-story building and make a fortune.Now we are petty citizens in an industrial society. We rent our houses, and we can’t even plant a plantain in front of us, let alone five willows.He said, "Bring children into the house, and there will be plenty of wine in the bottle." In the past, people in mainland China could afford to brew their own wine, at least middle-class families, and of course he could eat old rice at home. "Three roads are deserted, and pines and chrysanthemums still exist." Just look at his house, how big the open space is, it seems like a new park in Taipei City, three roads are completely deserted.Planting bamboo and selling bamboo shoots can also be sold to him for thousands of dollars a month. Of course, he will not bend his waist for five buckets of rice.It can be seen from this that Tao Yuanming is qualified to be a master of understanding. That's why Confucius said that Zigong was mastered, but those who mastered it may not be willing to enter politics. Ji Kangzi then asked Ran Qiu if he could enter politics.Confucius said that Ran Qiu was a talented man and a writer.Poetry, words, songs, fu, piano, chess, calligraphy, painting, all proficient; can play golf, dance modern dance.There is a lot of celebrity smell, and they can't be in politics. In other words, if the three of them are put together, they are worthy of the material of a great politician.why?Zilu's forte is to have a fortitude and courage; but he must also have a broad mind, that is, the so-called bearing of hard work, and this is what Zigong has to achieve.Resentment is especially difficult; before a plan or a policy is implemented, if someone scolds you as an asshole, you have to bow your head and let him scold you, and wait until the results are achieved.Of course, being an asshole would kill you.At the same time, you must be well-informed, knowledgeable, and versatile.The three simple words "guo, da, yi" contain so many things, so it can be seen that politicians must also have the cultivation of artists and poets. From another point of view, when Ji Kangzi asked these three students, Confucius refused to let them go. It was also because the Ji family was a powerful minister in Lu State at that time, and they were arrogant and domineering. Confucius did not want his students to get involved.Of course, students will not be willing to go there.So he deliberately declined. Although what he said was true, if he said that they could not enter politics, it was not entirely true.Later, Zigong became the guard, and every time he came to power, the international situation was settled.The chaos of the times at that time was worse than it is now.Zigong has such a talent, but why did Confucius insist that he can't do it?In fact, Confucius saw that these students could be alone, but Ji Kangzi, the boss, was wrong, so he didn't even have one of them. let him go.To be honest, in terms of learning, a person who is engaged in politics needs all the talents of these three types of people.The first temperament should be cultivated to be open-minded, not to be so narrow-minded, not to be overwhelmed with a little thing, or to let go of a word, otherwise the achievements will be too limited.Secondly, we must be decisive and resolute in dealing with things, make up our minds, and be steadfast so that we will not be affected by the environment.The third is to be versatile and know everything.Political career is painful, life is boring, more painful than scientists.What we come into contact with every day is all painful and troublesome things, and we all discuss life in right and wrong.This is right, that is wrong, Lao Zhang talks about Lao Yang, and Lao Yang talks about Lao Li, there is hardly a happy thing.Therefore, you must have art, and you must have a transcendent cultivation in your mind.I have a friend who is a doctor. Every day he comes into contact with painful patients. What he sees are frowning faces, what he hears are moans of pain, and even the voices of shouting for parents and mothers.So after he got off work, he started to engage in Lun e painting when he returned home. Over the past few decades, his half-Chinese paintings have a high artistic conception, and many famous painters admire them very much.I wanted to buy his, but he refused to sell it, so I asked him for one, and he said it was okay to give one away, and I would send one away immediately after signing the payment.This is the value of art, so one must have literary accomplishments and artistic sentiments in politics. Juelu cannot be moved——Min Ziqian explained the relationship between learning and politics above; The Ji family made Min Ziqian the minister of Fei.Min Ziqian said: "If you are good at saying goodbye to me, if there is someone who will return me, then I will be in Wenshang." Ji's family recruited Confucius's first-class students to enter politics, but of course they would not do it.So he came here privately to recruit a person——Min Ziqian, a student of Confucius, whose reputation was damaged.He is a famous filial son, among the twenty-four filial piety, he is one of them.Fifteen years younger than Confucius, a little older than other students.The Ji family invited him to be the chief executive of the place "Fei".At that time, the official position of "zai" was compared with the modern one. If it is a little bit smaller, it is probably a county magistrate or an administrative inspector;When Min Ziqian heard this, he told the person who sent the message, "Please fire him for me, I won't do it."Moreover, if a second person comes to tell me about this again, I'm sorry, I went abroad at that time—— Wenshui has already passed the border between Qi and Lu.That is to say, if you must come again to force me to be this official, I will leave immediately and leave the country of Lu. From the records in this section, we know: First, Min Ziqian is a well-known dutiful son, and his moral character is very good.Second, at that time, he was indifferent to official position, fame, and wealth.If people want him to be an official, they will drive him away instead.Third, none of the intellectuals in Lu at that time were satisfied with Ji's family, the powerful ministers of Lu, and were unwilling to be his officials, especially some students like Confucius.But there is one person working there, and that is Ran You.Regarding matters related to Ji's family, Confucius sometimes approached Ran You.After talking about these few paragraphs, it would be too monotonous to keep talking about this kind of thing.At this point, the article has its ups and downs, and it has changed from gorgeous to plain. The stories of several other people are compiled below. Although they are ordinary, they have far-reaching significance. Bo Niu was sick, and the son asked about it.He held his hand and said: "Death, I will die!"Sri Lankan people also have Sri Lankan diseases!Sri Lankan people also have Sri Lankan diseases! Bo Niu was a student of Confucius. His surname was Ran and his first name was Geng.When he was ill, Confucius went to see him in person, and Confucius treated his students as if they were his own children.Confucius was outside the south window, reached out to hold his hand, and sighed, he was about to die, it was fate, this man, why did he suffer from such a disease!Why is this person suffering from such a disease!After repeating two sentences, he left helplessly. This section is very simple.But what disease did Bo Niu suffer from?have no idea.In later generations and modern times, some people specifically pointed out this passage.Influenced by Western culture, there is a group of people who say that lung disease is contagious. Confucius was afraid of contagion, so he didn't go in. He held his hand outside the window and asked about his illness.Some people say that it is not lung disease—it is lung disease that threatens mankind in the 19th century; cancer is the threat to mankind in the 21st century; I think it will be mental illness in the 21st century.It is true that mental illness will become more and more serious in the future, and it has already begun.Although the progress of material civilization has brought many conveniences to human life, it has not brought happiness to human beings, but only brought more spiritual pain to human beings.This painful result, in the future, will lead to psychopathy, schizophrenia, and psychosis which is now beginning to increase.This is gossip, by the way.Some scholars also said that Bo Niu had leprosy, so Confucius dared not touch him.Then the student thought of a way, let Confucius hold his hand, and sighed outside, ah!Why do you have this disease?What kind of disease is this?I don't know!Of course, no one said that it was the disease of willows and willows, because before the Ming Dynasty, there was no such disease recorded in Chinese medical books.It came in from foreign countries later, and was called "Guangshang" in ancient Chinese medicine, because this venereal disease was imported from Guangdong, and Guangdong was the earliest trading port with foreign countries, which proves that the venereal disease came from foreign countries.None of these kinds of diseases, so what kind of disease is it?have no idea.Then this book repeats two sentences about this kind of disease of asking students. What's so great about it?During the Warring States period, Wu Qi served as a general in Wei, and one of his soldiers got sores on his buttocks. Wu Qi, a great general and commander-in-chief, actually used his mouth to suck out the pus for him.What Wu Qi did was a means, and what Confucius did was out of kindness. Reese's Mouse Philosophy Speaking of Wu Qi, by the way, let me talk about an episode of the last branch of Confucianism. We all know that Confucius preached to Zeng Zi, and Zeng Zi wrote an experience report "Great Learning".Zengzi preached to Confucius' grandson Zisi, and Zisi wrote an experience report "The Doctrine of the Mean".子思则传道给孟子，孟子不错，写了不少论文。至于荀子，也有一部著作传世，但到底有点掺水了。而且他的学生出了几个半吊子，像李斯、吴起这些人便是例子。 就李斯来说吧！我们如果讲政治哲学史，李斯的哲学是什么呢？我们可以叫他是老鼠哲学。什么是老鼠哲学呢？先要了解人类思想与历史演变有绝对关系，我们只要翻开《史记》一看《李斯传》，就可知道李斯的老鼠哲学了。李斯少年时跟荀子念书，他当时很穷，时代到了孟子以后的战国末期，人都现实了。世界越乱，人心越现实；国家社会安定了，仁义之心、道德之行才比较常见。李斯的思想，后来影响秦始皇，就是被现实所困而来。他有一天上厕所，不是现在的抽水马桶，是古时农村社会的大粪坑。又深又大，坑上放一块木板，人就蹲在板上大便，谓之蹬坑。这种粪坑，更重迭远望如高楼。坑深的，大便落坑，时间长，声音大，每把偷粪吃的老鼠惊吓逃散。一天，李斯这个穷小子蹬坑，看到粪坑老鼠，又小又瘦，见人惊逃的仓皇样子，十分可怜。后来又看到米仓中偷米吃的老鼠，又肥又大，看见人来，不但不走避，反而瞪瞪眼很神气的样子。李斯觉得很奇怪，仔细一想，结果给他悟出一个现实的道理来了。原来又瘦又小见人就逃的老鼠，是无所凭藉；而又肥又大 见人不避的米仓老鼠，是有所凭藉的。分别在此而已。凭藉，就是有本事，有靠山，或有本钱之类。李斯悟出道理以后，于是向老师荀子报告，不要读书了。荀子问他不读书要去干什么？他说要去游说诸侯，求功名富贵。荀子说，你还不行，学问还没有成就。李斯说，人穷到饭都没得吃，还去讲什么学问道德？这像什么话！老师一听这种话就说，你这个学生这种思想真糟，你去吧！就这样把李斯开除了。结果李斯碰到秦始皇这样一个混蛋，两个搞在一起，于是把一个国家搞得民不聊生。“鼠目寸光”，只搞老鼠哲学注重现实，不知仁义道德为何物的结果，自秦始皇身死沙丘之后，李斯也自家难保。所以在他父子临刑的时候，他对儿子说：“此时要想和你牵黄犬出东门也不可能了。” 李斯搞老鼠哲学，为什么会被他弄成功呢？这就要看当时的环境。春秋战国三四百年动乱下来，民穷财尽，不止经济上贫困，人才也都完了。真正人才的培养，总要百多年来的安定社会才行。不谈别的，就说溥儒的画吧！人家说真好，别无第二人。我说你认为溥儒的艺术好，但可知他成本多大？满清以孤儿寡妇率领了两三百万人入关，三百年来称帝，在宫廷里就培养了这样一个艺术家。你说成本多大？譬如李后主的词好。当然好！“车如流水马如龙，花月正春风。”真好！但成本多大？一个万乘之尊，玩掉了一个国家，才写出这样的词。别人的确写不出，在气魄上，没当皇帝的人，硬写不出那种境界。如果是个穷小子站在西门町的大街上，可能便写“车如流水马如龙，口袋太空空。”所以说一个国家的人才，要几百年社会安定的文化才能培养得出来。但战争一来，又都光了。因此到了战国时代，只有苏秦、张仪这两个半吊子的同学，玩弄了天下。他们是当时的骄子，如果把春秋时代的子贡、子路这班人才，来与苏秦、张仪相比，子贡、子路一定连正眼都不看他们。可是到了战国末期，像苏秦、张仪等的人才，也过去了，如李斯这些人居然也出来旋乾转坤，大摆乌龙了。由此可见当时人才之荒的严重。历史是要这样看、这样读的。不能光读故事，要把环境、地理，一切搞清楚才能了解。到了汉高祖、项羽出来的时候，人家说汉高祖是流氓出身。那时候，没有什么流氓不流氓，四百多年战争打下来，再给秦始皇、李斯两个家伙一搞以后，根本天下人各个都是如此，又岂只是汉高祖？文化的重行建立，是在汉文帝、汉武帝的时候，其中有近百年空档，几乎可以说没有文化，所以汉文、汉武对于文化整建的功勋，的确是可圈可点的。吴起也是荀子的学生，同样是没有毕业的，都是书不要读了，追求现实名利的角色；这就看出当时文化演变的衰退情形。吴起后来当大将，有个士兵生疮，吴起用口替他吸出脓血。这一来，士兵的母亲哭了，他说孩子的父亲当年生疮，吴大帅也是这样待他，所以为吴大帅卖了命；如今又对我儿子这样，这条命又要卖给吴大帅了。 我们为什么说到这些，是因为这节书引起的。我们现在再回到原文：找不出伯牛的病在什么地方，而孔子在伯牛临死之前，还来握握手，看他一下。看他一下这件平常的事，却慎重地把它记载下来，编在里。可见平凡中有值得研究的地方。 伯牛的病，是个很大的疑案。我们暂时把它保留在这里，等到以后再来讨论。至少有一个字，我们可以在这里讨论：“亡之，命矣夫！”的“亡”，在古人的解释，认为孔子当时握着他的手，很悲伤地感叹，他得了绝症，这真是命！但是我的看法，古文中“亡”字往往与“无”字相通。拿白话文来解释，是孔子很伤感的说，命真不可信吗？真没有命运吗？意思也是说像这样好的人，怎么会这样短命？ 不在愁中即病中 我们在中国文学里，对于人生常有“贫病交加”的悲叹。现在上面说的是一个人的病，下面便要说到一个人的贫。世界上贫病交迫的人太多了，这是我们应该用心致力的地方。所谓行仁道，就是要从社会整体的环境来均富。拿现在的政治术语来说，就是要达到全民的富强康乐。 有一个朋友，过去地位很高，也是部长级的，现在有七八十岁了。前两个月碰面，看他气色很好，相逢便问年，他很风趣的说：“我是望八之年”。他来个谐音答话，自我幽默一番。这位朋友，现在蛮穷的，他常说人世上的两个字，自己只准有一个字，决不许同时拥有两字。什么字呢？“穷愁”两字。凡“穷”一定会“愁”，穷加上愁就构成穷愁潦倒。他虽然已到望八之年，因为只许自己穷，绝不再许自己愁，所以能“乐天知命而不忧”。他真的做到了，遇见知己朋友，仍然谈笑风生。另外一个人还告诉我关于他的故事说：某老还是当年的风趣。他虽然穷，家里还有一个跟了他几十年当差的老佣人，不拿薪水，在待候他。有一天，他写了一张条子，叫老佣人送到一个朋友那里，这个朋友知道他的情况，又是几十年的老交情，他有条子要钱，当然照给。这一天他拿了一千块钱，然后到一家饭馆，吩咐配了几样最喜欢的菜；身上的香烟不大好，又吩咐拿来一听最喜欢抽的英国加立克牌的高级香烟。一个人慢慢享受，享受完了，口袋里掏出这一千元，全部给了茶房。茶房说要不了这许多，要找钱给他，他说不必回找了，多余的给小费。其实连那听外国香烟在内，他所费一共也不过三四百元。茶房说小费太多了，他仍说算了不必找了。他以前本来手面就这么大，赏下人的小费特别多，现在虽穷，还是当年的派头。习惯了，自己忘了有没有钱。所以朋友们当面说他仍不减当年的风趣，他听了笑笑说，我就要做到这一点，两个字只能有一个。穷归穷，绝不愁，如果又穷又愁，这就划不来，变成穷愁潦倒就冤得很。社会上贫病交迫的人很多，要想心理上不再添愁， 这个修养就相当高了。 本篇上文提到伯牛的病，下面就提到颜回的穷。 子曰：贤哉回也！一箪食，一瓢饮，在陋巷。人不堪其忧。回也不 改其乐。贤哉回也！ 这几句话看起来非常简单，但是要自己身体力行，历练起来，就不简单了。孔子第一句话就赞叹颜回，然后说他的生活——“一箪食”，只有一个“便当”。古代的“便当”就是煮好的饭，放在竹子编的器皿里。“一瓢饮”，当时没有自来水，古代是挑水卖，他也买不起，只有一点点冷水。物质生活是如此艰苦，住在贫民窟里一条陋巷中，破了的违章建筑里。任何人处于这种环境，心里的忧愁、烦恼都吃不消的。可是颜回仍然不改其乐，心里一样快乐。这实在很难，物质环境苦到这个 程度，心境竟然恬淡依旧。我们看文章很容易，个人的修养要到达那个境界可真不简单。乃至于几天没饭吃，还是保持那种顶天立地的气概，不要说真的做到，假的做到，也还真不容易。颜回则做到了不受物质环境的影响，难怪孔子这么赞叹欣赏这个学生。三千弟子只有他做得到这个修养，而他不幸三十二岁就短命死了。近代人研究孔孟思想的，认为颜回是死在营养不良。虽然是一句笑话，但是大家对营养还是要注意到才对。 学问的鸿沟 说到这里，峰回路转，又转出一个高峰。 冉求曰：非不说子之道，力不足也。子曰：力不足者，中道而废。 今女画。 这节文字，就是说冉求有一次对孔子说，老师！你不要骂我们，老是说我们不努力。我们对于你的学问非常景仰，只是我们做不到，力不能及。孔子说，你这话错了。做了一半，无法克成其功，这是力量不足的缘故。可是你根本还没有开始做，怎么知道无法做成呢？“今女画”，并不是说“你学画去了”，是说你冉求，自己把自己划在一个界限内。孔子的意思说，你不管做不做得成功，只要你肯立志，坚决的去做，做到什么程度算什么程度，这便是真正的努力。现在你自己划了一个界 限，还没开步走就先认为自己过不去，这不是自甘堕落吗？ 接着就讲到真正的作学问，孔子说要作到什么程度呢？ 子谓子夏曰：女为君子儒，无为小人儒。 先谈什么叫“儒”？这个中国字，根据《说文解字》的另一种解释：“儒”是人类社会所需要的人，所以在“人”字旁边加一个需要的“需”字，便成了儒。我们再看“佛”——“弗人”，不是人，是超人。“仙”——“山人”，有如高山流水。“需人”则是人类需要他，社会当中不可缺少的人，这就是“儒者”。我们都称孔孟思想为儒家学说，但是究竟要什么样子才能叫“儒”呢？孔子在这里提出来分为两种：一种叫君子之儒，一种叫小人之儒。如果再进一步参考《礼记》中的《儒行篇》，便有很多儒者类型的标准。一个儒者应当有怎样的行为，他的作风以及人格的规范，在《儒行篇》中，说得很清楚，也包括孔子在这里所提两种儒者之一的君子之儒行。 我们现在来说，什么叫小人儒？书读得很好，文章写得很好，学理也讲得很好。但除了读书以外，把天下国家交给他，就出大问题，这就是所谓书呆子，小人儒。所以处理国家天下大事，不但要才德学三者兼备，还要有真正的社会体验，如果毫无经验，只懂得书本上那一套，拿出来是行不通的；不知道天下事的现实情状就行不通。比如说，这两天美国总统到了中东，他在那里讲些什么？知不知道？如果说报纸上有新闻；报纸上登的，和原有的真话，不知相差多远。根据报纸你就可以评 论天下事，这是书呆子之见。君子之儒有什么不同？就是人情练达，深通世故。如前面所讲的，子路的“果”，子贡的“达”和冉求的“艺”，都具备了，那就是“君子儒”。 知人之明 Ziyou is the governor of Wucheng.子曰：女得人焉尔乎？曰：有澹台灭明者，行不由径。非公事，未尝至于偃之室也。 子游为孔子弟子，少孔子四十五岁，姓言名偃。他出去做官，在武城这个地方为“宰”——首长。回来看老师，孔子问他在地方上得到人才没有？讲到这句话要注意，从历史可以看出，中国古代非常重视对后辈的培养。尤其在汉唐，对地方的人才，都经过慎重的选拔，并且视选才为重要工作之一。所以子游这个学生来看他，孔子的第一句话，就问他在地方上发掘到人才没有。因为任何一个地方，任何一个时代都要人才。所以孔子第一句话就问这个问题。子游说：“有个澹台灭明。”号 子羽，比孔子少三十九岁，相貌很难看。中国人常用孔子一句话，“以貌取人，失之子羽。”便是指此公的故事。在这以前他曾见过孔子，我们这位老夫子，这天不知道什么事情心情不好，看见这个年轻人怪难看的样子，并不太注意他，这位年轻人没有好久就走了。不过他还是愿意做孔子的学生，学问非常好，后来成为不得了的人物。历史上记载：在南方，他和他的弟子们名动诸侯。他到哪里，各国元首都欢迎他。而且他还带有点英豪侠气。子游在武城发现了，又介绍给孔子。所以孔子后来感叹“人不可以貌相”，以外形去判定一个人才，往往会有失误。孔子自己承认错了。错了就错了，孔子非常勇于认错。 子游向孔子报告，找到了一个叫澹台灭明的人才。此人“行不由径”——这句话照古人的解释，是说走路绝不走小路。如比之现在的情况，不走小路，难道走大马路？不被汽车压死才怪——子游又说他从来没有到我房子讲过私话。对于汉代以来“行不由径”解释为“不走小路”的说法，（朱注：径，路之小而捷者。）我不同意。古时候“径者道也”，并没有说必是小路，人光走大路，不走捷径是笨蛋。难道是瞎子，小路不敢走，怕跌倒？那么什么叫“行不由径”呢？我们刚才已经讲过了，澹台灭明后来带了弟子，在南方一带，游说诸侯，名动公卿。他到哪里，各国元首都对他重视。这个人有江湖豪气，“行不由径”是说他行事从表面看来，有时不依常规，不循常道，有点满不在乎的味道，有如子贡那个“达”字的道理一样。因为他“行不由径”，所以孔子对他也看走了眼。言偃在这里讲他“行不由径”，表面看来有违常规，但是他又发现澹台灭明还有一个很大的长处——很讲义气，绝对无私，不是为了公事，从来不到子游的房里来。因此，我认为“行不由径”四字， 当作此解。但我这个说法，也是“行不由径”的。此举实在并非故意，因为发现这里面有些混淆不清，只好套用孟子一句话：“予岂好辩哉？予不得已也。” retired 这一篇上面都是讲学生的故事；下面是对当代一些人物的评论，说明待人处世的学问之道。 子曰：孟之反不伐，奔而殿，将入门，策其马曰：非敢后也，马不 and also! 孟子反，是鲁国的大夫。在鲁哀公十一年这个阶段，当时鲁国有难，作战的时候，孟之反为统帅之一。孔子学生冉有也参加战役为统帅。孟子反怎样的不伐呢？有功而不骄矜，不宣扬叫不伐。古代“伐”与“矜”这两个字常常会连在一起用。“矜”是自以为高明；“伐”则为有功、有才，而自我夸耀。“奔而殿”，是说他在这次战役中打了败仗，撤退时他走在最后，拒敌掩护撤退。我们知道历史上记载，鲁国那一次是打了败仗。学军事的人就知道，打胜仗容易，打败仗难。军事中的作 战计划是有两套的；这两套计划分门订立。假如当统帅的作打胜仗的计划，参谋长便应当另作打败仗的计划，然后两套计划配合起来运用。或者参谋长作打胜仗的计划，但统帅就不能再作打胜仗的计划，否则万一败了会很惨。战争不是胜就是败，但一个人又计划胜仗怎么打，又计划败仗怎么打，心理上也成问题。当然，有特殊的将才不在此限。中国历史上打败仗最有名的军事家应该算是诸葛亮，他六出祁山，每次撤退，一兵一卒都不会少，是古今以来，安全撤退成功的战略家。 在战场上打了败仗，哪一个敢走在最后面？就是平常走夜路，胆小的也先跑了，怕后面有鬼。打败仗比这还可怕。孟之反则不同。“奔而殿”，叫前方败下来的人先撤退，他自己一个人挡在后面。“殿”便是最后的意思。“将入门”这句，是说孟之反由前方撤退，快要进到自己的城门时，“策其马曰”，他才赶紧用鞭子，抽在马屁股上，超到队伍的前面去。然后告诉大家说：“非敢后也，马不进也。”他说，不是我胆子大，敢在你们背后挡住敌人，实在这匹马跑不动，真是要命啊！ 孔子认为像孟之反修养到这种程度，真是了不起。这一节，我们有两点要了解。第一点，历史上每一战争下来，争功争得很厉害，同事往往因此变成仇人、冤家。尤其在清朝时候，有些人夺取了功劳，还把过错推给别人。因此引起内部的不平。太平天国的失败，就是由诸将争功所致。第二点，由此可知鲁国当时国内的人事问题太复杂，但孟之反的修养非常高，怕引起同事之间的摩擦，不但不自己表功，而且还自谦以免除同事之间彼此的嫉妒。 所以要把这一段编入，乃是借孟之反的不居功，反映出春秋时代人事纷争之乱的可怕。实际上，人事纷争在任何时代都是一样的。很坦白地说，在一个地方做事，成绩表现好一点，就会引起各方面的嫉妒、排挤；成绩不好呢？又太窝囊。人实在不大好作。当时鲁国人事上也是这样情形，孟之反善于立身自处，所以孔子标榜他不矜不伐。同时以另一个观点来看，孟之反更了不起，不但自己不居功，而且免除了同事间无谓的妒忌，以免损及国家。古人说：“能受天磨真铁汉，不遭 人忌是庸才。”像李陵与苏武的故事便是如此。当时李陵孤军作战，友军各怀忌心不来相救，因此被逼到投降了。司马迁为这件事向汉武帝力争，他说李陵之投降是被逼的。友军嫉妒他，不支援他，他一人带了五千士兵，孤军深入绝域，最后拚得剩下十余个人，还在奋勇拒敌，这怎么能责怪他呢？结果汉武帝发了脾气，司马迁受了宫刑。后来苏武回来，就写信劝李陵回来，李陵回信说，叫我怎么回去呢？回去以后，那些专门根据人事法规办案的人，东挑剔，西挑剔，挑剔得没完没了。我将无法辩白，实在受不了。前方作战受苦，回来碰到那些自以为懂法的专家，鸡蛋里挑骨头，一个字错了就会有罪，这叫人怎么受得了？所谓：“刀笔之吏，弄其文墨。”便是此意。 讲到这里，同时想起汉高祖大将周勃的故事。他功劳很大，到文帝时，出将入相，万人之上，一人之下。后来因事坐牢，而那个监狱的管理员，叫他坐就得坐，叫他站就得站。周勃不免感叹当年统兵数十万，一呼百诺，那种威风之神气。无奈进入监牢，受尽了窝囊，也只好叹息说：“今日方知狱吏之尊！” 讲孟之反为什么要说到这些？这便是读书不要读死书，要把书读活了。读是要懂得如何作人做事，并不是为了应付考试。