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"Zhidao Lexue·Chinese Classics" D420

"Mencius" Gaozi II

Nine

Original text

Mencius said: "Shun was born among the farmers [1], Fu Shuo was raised among the banzhu [2], and Jiao Ge [3] was raised among the fish. Among the salts, Guan Yiwu was raised as a scholar, Sun Shuao was raised in the sea, and Baili Xi was raised in the market. Therefore, when heaven is about to entrust a great responsibility to this person, his mind and body must first be taxed, his muscles and bones exhausted, and his body starved. The skin is empty, and the behavior is chaotic, so the mind and endurance have been unable to do anything. People can change it after they are trapped in the heart, balance it, and then make symptoms. [8] From the color, it comes from the sound, and then it is metaphorical. If you enter, you will be helpless [9], and if you go out, you will be invincible to foreign patients, and the country will be destroyed. Then you will know that you will be born in sorrow and die in peace and happiness."

Notes

[1]玎 (quǎn) mu: field, field.

[2]Banzhu: wall-building work.

[3] Jiao Ge: Personal name, a wise minister of King Wu of Zhou Dynasty.

[4]Sun Shuao: personal name.

[5] Baili Xi: A wise man.

[6]Zeng: Same as "increase".

[7] Heng: Tong "Heng" refers to the horizontal blockage.

[8]Zheng: representation, performance.

[9] Legalist Fu Shi: Legalist: a minister with laws. Fu: Under the guise of "弼", assisting. Fu Shi: The auxiliary wise man.

Translation

Mencius said: "Shun was promoted in the fields, Fu Yue was promoted while building the wall, and Jiao Ke was promoted among the fish and salt traders. , Guan Zhong was promoted from among the jailers, Sun Shuao was discovered at the seaside, and Baili Xi was recommended in the busy city. It can be seen that if God wants to give this person a big job, he will definitely torture him first. The will of the person, the muscles and bones of the person are tired, the body of the person is hungry, the physical strength of the person is exhausted, and every action of his is unsatisfactory. Only in this way can his mind be shaken, his character can be tough, and he can Increase the talents that he does not have. Only when people make mistakes can they correct themselves; only when their hearts are restricted and their thoughts are hindered can they work hard; only when they are expressed on their faces and words can they be understood. If there are no ministers and scholars who abide by the law at home, and there are no external threats to the country's survival, such a country will eventually perish. Then you will know the truth that worries make people survive, and happiness makes people perish. ”

Analysis

This is the most representative article by Mencius, which encourages people to rise from adversity, practice their willpower in a difficult environment, be aware of hardship, and not be greedy for temporary pleasure. "Born in sorrow and dying in happiness" in this article has become a famous saying that has been passed down through the ages.

十

Original text

Mencius said: "There are many skills in teaching [1], and those who give disdainful teachings are just teachings. ”

Notes

[1] Technique: method.

Translation

Mencius said: "There are many methods of education. I don't bother to teach him, but it is also a way of teaching him."

Analysis

There are many methods of education, and not teaching others is also a way of teaching others. If this person can still work hard without being educated, this also serves as a method of education; if this person cannot understand, then no amount of education will have any effect, and it will be the same as no education. Therefore, no matter how many methods of education there are, they are not as good as your own understanding and persistence.