..续本文上一页really makes one”s blood run cold. Actually, such a person, who lacks feeling and conscience, is truly pitiful and in need of teaching.

　　汉朝古诗里，有一首诗是叙述一个男人遇着他前妻的对白。那女人大概是看前夫一张苦瓜脸，穿着又邋遢吧，于是很关心地问候他新人好不好？她是在「三从四德」的旧教下长大的典型中国妇女，这样地不计前嫌，并不算稀奇；倒是那个男人，既已喜新厌旧在前，新婚不如意，竟还拿新妻和旧妻织绢布的手艺、速度来做比较，说﹕「将缣来比素，新人不如故！」年幼时，觉得这种男人真是贪功爱财，寡廉鲜耻。大了一些，常读历史，比较能明因果，知体谅了，就只有深深地感谢；感谢中国「温柔敦厚」的「诗教」，让我们知所宽恕。

　　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.

　　中国春秋时代，天子弱而诸侯强，到了战国时代，权力更由诸侯王转移到王族中声望最高的人物。这些斗阀中，最杰出的是「战国四公子」。当时王侯贵族盛行养士，竞相招揽有才艺之士做家中食客，名列「四公子」之首的齐国孟尝君，更是号称有「食客三千」。

　　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."

　　当孟尝君因声名威望而招来齐君疑惧，将他罢相遣归原封邑薛地后，孟尝君家中的食客走了一大半。后来孟尝君靠着忠心相随的冯歡，不但让齐君把他再请回去当宰相，更增加他千户的封邑。那些远走高飞的食客又一一回来了，孟尝君便想羞辱一下那些人。冯歡忙劝阻他说，肚子饿了就挨近，吃饱了就跑远；温热的就靠拢，寒冷的就离弃﹕这本是人的通病，并非他们对事物的本身有好恶。身有好恶，只是因心中想要的东西在不存在，而产生不同的动向。不要因为这种情况怪罪他们，而杜绝了延揽人才之路。

　　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 ."

　　孟尝君体悟这道理是不错的，就听从了冯歡的劝谏。从这小故事，我们对冯歡其人，即使不敢说他是个真正的仁者，若称之为深明事理因果的智者，可一点也没过誉啊！

　　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.

《弟子规浅释 Standards for Students 第六章﹕泛爱众 Chapter Six: ON CHERISHING ALL LIVING BEINGS - 3》全文阅读结束。