..續本文上一頁really makes one”s blood run cold. Actually, such a person, who lacks feeling and conscience, is truly pitiful and in need of teaching.

　　漢朝古詩裏，有一首詩是敘述一個男人遇著他前妻的對白。那女人大概是看前夫一張苦瓜臉，穿著又邋遢吧，于是很關心地問候他新人好不好？她是在「叁從四德」的舊教下長大的典型中國婦女，這樣地不計前嫌，並不算稀奇；倒是那個男人，既已喜新厭舊在前，新婚不如意，竟還拿新妻和舊妻織絹布的手藝、速度來做比較，說﹕「將缣來比素，新人不如故！」年幼時，覺得這種男人真是貪功愛財，寡廉鮮恥。大了一些，常讀曆史，比較能明因果，知體諒了，就只有深深地感謝；感謝中國「溫柔敦厚」的「詩教」，讓我們知所寬恕。

　　In the poetry of the Han Dynasty, there is one poem which describes the dialogue that takes place when a man runs into his former wife. Probably noting the grim expression on her former husband”s face and the disheveled look of his clothes, the woman inquired after his new wife out of concern. Having been raised in the old society, where a woman was taught to serve her father, husband, and son and possess four feminine virtues, her generous behavior was quite normal. The man, who had abandoned his former wife for a new woman who turned out to be dissatisfactory, had the gall to compare the new wife”s skill in weaving to the former wife”s. He said, "In terms of weaving, the new one is not as good as the former!" In my youth, such a man struck me as being totally utilitarian and devoid of modesty . When I grew older, having read a lot of history, I began to understand the law of cause and effect and learned to be more understanding. I am deeply grateful that China has these instructional poems, which teach us to be gentle, virtuous, kind, and forgiving.

　　中國春秋時代，天子弱而諸侯強，到了戰國時代，權力更由諸侯王轉移到王族中聲望最高的人物。這些鬥閥中，最傑出的是「戰國四公子」。當時王侯貴族盛行養士，競相招攬有才藝之士做家中食客，名列「四公子」之首的齊國孟嘗君，更是號稱有「食客叁千」。

　　During the Spring and Autumn Period in China, the emperor was weak and the feudal lords were strong. By the Warring States Period, the power shifted from the feudal lords to several people of the highest status in the royal family. Among these, the most eminent were known as the Four Princes of the Warring States Period. It was customary for these lords to surround themselves with talented men. They invited such men of ability to be lodgers in their home. For example, the leader of the Four Princes, Lord Meng Chang of the State of Qi, became known as "the one with three thousand lodgers."

　　當孟嘗君因聲名威望而招來齊君疑懼，將他罷相遣歸原封邑薛地後，孟嘗君家中的食客走了一大半。後來孟嘗君靠著忠心相隨的馮歡，不但讓齊君把他再請回去當宰相，更增加他千戶的封邑。那些遠走高飛的食客又一一回來了，孟嘗君便想羞辱一下那些人。馮歡忙勸阻他說，肚子餓了就挨近，吃飽了就跑遠；溫熱的就靠攏，寒冷的就離棄﹕這本是人的通病，並非他們對事物的本身有好惡。身有好惡，只是因心中想要的東西在不存在，而産生不同的動向。不要因爲這種情況怪罪他們，而杜絕了延攬人才之路。

　　Lord Meng Chang”s increasing renown brought on the suspicions of the King of Qi, who removed him from his post as Minister and sent him back to his estate in Xue. At that point, the majority of Meng Chang”s lodgers deserted him. Later, due to the efforts of his loyal follower, Feng Huan, not only was Lord Meng Chang welcomed back as minister, but he was given a thousand more families to oversee. The lodgers who had previously deserted him came back one by one. Lord Meng Chang wanted to shame them, but Feng Huan hastily stopped him, saying, "When they were hungry, they drew near; having eaten their fill, they ran off. When it was warm here, they came close; when it was cold, they deserted. This fault is common to all people. It was not that they did not like the situation here; however, when they did not find what they want, they naturally thought about going elsewhere. You shouldn”t blame them for this, for that would hinder you from recruiting other men of ability ."

　　孟嘗君體悟這道理是不錯的，就聽從了馮歡的勸谏。從這小故事，我們對馮歡其人，即使不敢說他是個真正的仁者，若稱之爲深明事理因果的智者，可一點也沒過譽啊！

　　Meng Chang recognized the truth of Feng Huan”s words and took his advice. In light of this story, although we dare not say that Feng Huan was one of true humaneness, it would not be exaggerating to say that he was a wise man who deeply understand the causes and results of matters.

《弟子規淺釋 Standards for Students 第六章﹕泛愛衆 Chapter Six: ON CHERISHING ALL LIVING BEINGS - 3》全文閱讀結束。