韩非子·五蠹原文与翻译
上古(gu)之(zhi)世(shi),人(ren)民(min)少而(er)(er)(er)(er)禽兽众,人(ren)民(min)不胜(sheng)禽兽虫蛇(she)。有(you)圣(sheng)人(ren)作,构木为(wei)(wei)巢以(yi)避群(qun)害,而(er)(er)(er)(er)民(min)悦之(zhi),使王天(tian)下,号曰(yue)(yue)有(you)巢氏(shi)。民(min)食果蓏蚌蛤,腥(xing)(xing)臊恶臭而(er)(er)(er)(er)伤害腹(fu)胃,民(min)多疾病。有(you)圣(sheng)人(ren)作,钻(zuan)(zuan)燧取火以(yi)化腥(xing)(xing)臊,而(er)(er)(er)(er)民(min)说之(zhi),使王天(tian)下,号之(zhi)曰(yue)(yue)燧人(ren)氏(shi)。中古(gu)之(zhi)世(shi),天(tian)下大(da)水,而(er)(er)(er)(er)鲧(gun)(gun)、禹决渎。近(jin)古(gu)之(zhi)世(shi),桀、纣暴乱(luan),而(er)(er)(er)(er)汤、武征伐。今有(you)构木钻(zuan)(zuan)燧于(yu)(yu)夏(xia)后(hou)氏(shi)之(zhi)世(shi)者(zhe),必为(wei)(wei)鲧(gun)(gun)、禹笑(xiao)矣;有(you)决渎于(yu)(yu)殷、周之(zhi)世(shi)者(zhe),必为(wei)(wei)汤、武笑(xiao)矣。然则今有(you)美尧、舜、汤、武、禹之(zhi)道于(yu)(yu)当(dang)今之(zhi)世(shi)者(zhe),必为(wei)(wei)新(xin)圣(sheng)笑(xiao)矣。是以(yi)圣(sheng)人(ren)不期修古(gu),不法(fa)常可,论(lun)世(shi)之(zhi)事,因为(wei)(wei)之(zhi)备(bei)。宋有(you)人(ren)耕田者(zhe),田中有(you)株,兔(tu)走触株,折颈而(er)(er)(er)(er)死,因释其耒而(er)(er)(er)(er)守株,冀复(fu)得兔(tu),兔(tu)不可复(fu)得,而(er)(er)(er)(er)身为(wei)(wei)宋国笑(xiao)。今欲以(yi)先王之(zhi)政(zheng),治当(dang)世(shi)之(zhi)民(min),皆守株之(zhi)类也。
在(zai)上(shang)(shang)(shang)古(gu)时(shi)(shi)代,人(ren)(ren)口稀(xi)少(shao),鸟(niao)兽众多,人(ren)(ren)民(min)受不了(le)(le)禽兽虫蛇的(de)(de)(de)侵害(hai)。这(zhei)(zhei)时(shi)(shi)候出(chu)现(xian)了(le)(le)—位圣人(ren)(ren),他(ta)发(fa)明在(zai)树(shu)上(shang)(shang)(shang)搭(da)窝棚(peng)的(de)(de)(de)办法(fa),用来避(bi)免(mian)遭(zao)到(dao)各种(zhong)伤害(hai);人(ren)(ren)们因此(ci)很爱戴(dai)他(ta),推(tui)(tui)举他(ta)来治(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)理(li)天下,称他(ta)为有(you)(you)巢氏(shi)。当(dang)时(shi)(shi)人(ren)(ren)民(min)吃的(de)(de)(de)是野(ye)生(sheng)的(de)(de)(de)瓜果和(he)(he)蚌(bang)蛤,腥臊(sao)腐臭,伤害(hai)肠胃(wei),许(xu)多人(ren)(ren)得了(le)(le)疾病。这(zhei)(zhei)时(shi)(shi)候又出(chu)现(xian)了(le)(le)一(yi)(yi)位圣人(ren)(ren),他(ta)发(fa)明钻(zuan)木取火的(de)(de)(de)方法(fa)烧烤食物,除掉腥臊(sao)臭味;人(ren)(ren)们因而(er)很爱戴(dai)他(ta),推(tui)(tui)举他(ta)治(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)理(li)天下,称他(ta)为隧人(ren)(ren)氏(shi)。到(dao)了(le)(le)中(zhong)古(gu)时(shi)(shi)代,天下洪水泛滥,鲧(gun)和(he)(he)他(ta)的(de)(de)(de)儿(er)子(zi)(zi)禹先后负责疏(shu)通河道,排洪治(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)灾。近(jin)古(gu)时(shi)(shi)代,夏(xia)桀和(he)(he)殷纣的(de)(de)(de)统治(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)残暴(bao)昏乱,于是商(shang)汤和(he)(he)周(zhou)武王(wang)起兵讨伐。如果到(dao)了(le)(le)夏(xia)朝,还(hai)(hai)有(you)(you)人(ren)(ren)用在(zai)树(shu)上(shang)(shang)(shang)搭(da)窝棚(peng)居住和(he)(he)钻(zuan)木取火的(de)(de)(de)办法(fa)生(sheng)活,那一(yi)(yi)定(ding)会被鲧(gun)、禹耻笑了(le)(le);如果到(dao)了(le)(le)殷周(zhou)时(shi)(shi)代,还(hai)(hai)有(you)(you)人(ren)(ren)要把挖(wa)河排洪作为要务的(de)(de)(de)话(hua),那就一(yi)(yi)定(ding)会被商(shang)汤、武王(wang)所耻笑。既然如此(ci),那么在(zai)今天要是还(hai)(hai)有(you)(you)人(ren)(ren)推(tui)(tui)崇尧、舜、禹、场、武王(wang)的(de)(de)(de)政(zheng)(zheng)治(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)并加(jia)以实(shi)(shi)行的(de)(de)(de)人(ren)(ren),定(ding)然要被现(xian)代的(de)(de)(de)圣人(ren)(ren)耻笑了(le)(le)。因此(ci),圣人(ren)(ren)不期望照搬(ban)古(gu)法(fa),不死(si)守陈规旧俗,而(er)是根据(ju)当(dang)前社(she)会的(de)(de)(de)实(shi)(shi)际情(qing)况,进而(er)制定(ding)相应的(de)(de)(de)政(zheng)(zheng)治(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)措施。有(you)(you)个(ge)宋人(ren)(ren)在(zai)田(tian)(tian)里耕(geng)作;田(tian)(tian)中(zhong)有(you)(you)一(yi)(yi)个(ge)树(shu)桩(zhuang),一(yi)(yi)只(zhi)兔(tu)(tu)子(zi)(zi)奔(ben)跑时(shi)(shi)撞在(zai)树(shu)桩(zhuang)上(shang)(shang)(shang)碰断了(le)(le)脖(bo)子(zi)(zi)死(si)了(le)(le)。从此(ci)这(zhei)(zhei)个(ge)末人(ren)(ren)便放下手中(zhong)的(de)(de)(de)农具,守在(zai)树(shu)桩(zhuang)旁边,希(xi)望再捡到(dao)死(si)兔(tu)(tu)子(zi)(zi)。他(ta)当(dang)然不可能再得到(dao)兔(tu)(tu)子(zi)(zi),自己倒(dao)成了(le)(le)宋国的(de)(de)(de)一(yi)(yi)个(ge)笑话(hua)。现(xian)在(zai)假使还(hai)(hai)要用先王(wang)的(de)(de)(de)政(zheng)(zheng)治(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)来治(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)理(li)当(dang)代的(de)(de)(de)民(min)众,那就无疑属于守株待兔(tu)(tu)之类的(de)(de)(de)人(ren)(ren)了(le)(le)。
古(gu)者丈夫不(bu)(bu)(bu)耕(geng),草(cao)木之(zhi)实足食也(ye);妇人(ren)不(bu)(bu)(bu)织(zhi),禽兽之(zhi)皮足衣也(ye)。不(bu)(bu)(bu)事力而养足,人(ren)民少而财有(you)余(yu),故民不(bu)(bu)(bu)争。是以厚赏不(bu)(bu)(bu)行,重罚(fa)不(bu)(bu)(bu)用,而民自治。今人(ren)有(you)五(wu)子(zi)不(bu)(bu)(bu)为多,子(zi)又有(you)五(wu)子(zi),大(da)父未死而有(you)二十五(wu)孙。是以人(ren)民众(zhong)而货(huo)财寡,事力劳而供养薄,故民争,虽倍赏累罚(fa)而不(bu)(bu)(bu)免于(yu)乱。
在(zai)古(gu)代(dai),男人(ren)(ren)不(bu)(bu)用(yong)耕种,野生的果(guo)实(shi)足(zu)(zu)够吃的;妇女不(bu)(bu)用(yong)纺织(zhi),禽兽的皮(pi)足(zu)(zu)够穿(chuan)的。不(bu)(bu)用(yong)费力而(er)(er)(er)供养充足(zu)(zu)。人(ren)(ren)口少而(er)(er)(er)财(cai)物(wu)有(you)余,所(suo)以(yi)人(ren)(ren)们之间用(yong)不(bu)(bu)着争(zheng)夺(duo)(duo)。因而(er)(er)(er)不(bu)(bu)实(shi)行厚(hou)赏,不(bu)(bu)实(shi)行重罚,而(er)(er)(er)民众自然安定无(wu)事(shi)。现在(zai)人(ren)(ren)们养有(you)五(wu)(wu)个(ge)儿子(zi)并不(bu)(bu)算(suan)多,每个(ge)儿子(zi)又各有(you)五(wu)(wu)个(ge)儿子(zi),祖父还(hai)没有(you)死就会有(you)二(er)十(shi)五(wu)(wu)个(ge)孙子(zi)。因此,人(ren)(ren)口多了,而(er)(er)(er)财(cai)物(wu)缺(que)乏;费尽力气劳动,还(hai)是不(bu)(bu)够吃用(yong)。所(suo)以(yi)民众互相争(zheng)夺(duo)(duo),即使加倍地奖赏和不(bu)(bu)断地惩罚。结(jie)果(guo)仍然免不(bu)(bu)了要发生混(hun)乱(luan)。
尧之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)王(wang)天下(xia)也(ye)(ye),茅茨不(bu)(bu)(bu)翦,采椽不(bu)(bu)(bu)斫;粝粢之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)食(shi)(shi),?藿之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)羹;冬日(ri)麂(ji)裘(qiu),夏日(ri)葛(ge)衣;虽监(jian)门之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)服养,不(bu)(bu)(bu)亏于(yu)此矣。禹之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)王(wang)天下(xia)也(ye)(ye),身执耒歃以为(wei)民先,股无肢,胫不(bu)(bu)(bu)生毛,虽臣(chen)虏(lu)之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)劳,不(bu)(bu)(bu)苦于(yu)此矣。以是言之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi),夫古(gu)之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)让(rang)天子(zi)(zi)者,是去(qu)(qu)监(jian)门之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)养,而(er)离臣(chen)虏(lu)之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)劳也(ye)(ye),古(gu)传天下(xia)而(er)不(bu)(bu)(bu)足多(duo)也(ye)(ye)。今之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)县令,一(yi)日(ri)身死,子(zi)(zi)孙累世絜驾(jia),故(gu)(gu)人重之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)。是以人之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)于(yu)让(rang)也(ye)(ye),轻辞古(gu)之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)天子(zi)(zi),难去(qu)(qu)今之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)县令者,薄(bo)厚(hou)之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)实(shi)异(yi)(yi)也(ye)(ye)。夫山(shan)居(ju)而(er)谷汲者,腊而(er)相遗以水(shui);泽居(ju)苦水(shui)者,买庸而(er)决窦。故(gu)(gu)饥岁之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)春(chun),幼弟(di)不(bu)(bu)(bu)饷(xiang);穰岁之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)秋,疏客(ke)必食(shi)(shi)。非(fei)疏骨肉爱过客(ke)也(ye)(ye),多(duo)少之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)实(shi)异(yi)(yi)也(ye)(ye)。是以古(gu)之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)易财,非(fei)仁(ren)也(ye)(ye),财多(duo)也(ye)(ye);今之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)争夺,非(fei)鄙(bi)也(ye)(ye),财寡(gua)也(ye)(ye)。轻辞天子(zi)(zi),非(fei)高(gao)也(ye)(ye),势薄(bo)也(ye)(ye);争士橐,非(fei)下(xia)也(ye)(ye),权重也(ye)(ye)。故(gu)(gu)圣人议(yi)多(duo)少、论薄(bo)厚(hou)为(wei)之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)政。故(gu)(gu)罚薄(bo)不(bu)(bu)(bu)为(wei)慈,诛(zhu)严不(bu)(bu)(bu)为(wei)戾,称俗而(er)行(xing)也(ye)(ye)。故(gu)(gu)事因于(yu)世,而(er)备(bei)适于(yu)事。
尧统治天(tian)(tian)(tian)(tian)下(xia)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)时候(hou),住的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)是(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)没经修(xiu)整的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)茅草房,连(lian)栋木(mu)椽子(zi)(zi)都不曾刨(bao)光(guang);吃的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)是(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)粗粮(liang),喝的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)是(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)野菜(cai)场;冬天(tian)(tian)(tian)(tian)披坏小(xiao)鹿皮,夏天(tian)(tian)(tian)(tian)穿(chuan)着麻布衣。就(jiu)(jiu)是(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)现在(zai)看(kan)(kan)(kan)门奴仆的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)生活,也(ye)(ye)不比(bi)这(zhei)差。禹(yu)统治天(tian)(tian)(tian)(tian)下(xia)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)时候(hou),亲(qin)自(zi)拿(na)着锹锄带领人(ren)(ren)(ren)(ren)们(men)干活,累得大(da)(da)(da)腿消瘦(shou),小(xiao)腿上(shang)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)汗(han)毛都磨(mo)没了(le)(le),就(jiu)(jiu)是(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)奴隶们(men)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)劳(lao)(lao)役(yi)也(ye)(ye)不比(bi)这(zhei)苦(ku)(ku)。这(zhei)样(yang)(yang)说来(lai),古代(dai)把天(tian)(tian)(tian)(tian)子(zi)(zi)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)位(wei)置让给别人(ren)(ren)(ren)(ren),不过(guo)是(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)逃(tao)避看(kan)(kan)(kan)门奴仆般(ban)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)供养,摆(bai)脱奴隶样(yang)(yang)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)繁重(zhong)(zhong)苦(ku)(ku)劳(lao)(lao)罢了(le)(le);所(suo)(suo)以(yi)把天(tian)(tian)(tian)(tian)下(xia)传给别人(ren)(ren)(ren)(ren)也(ye)(ye)并(bing)不值得赞美。如(ru)今(jin)(jin)(jin)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)县(xian)令,一旦(dan)死了(le)(le),他的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)子(zi)(zi)孙世世代(dai)代(dai)总(zong)有高车大(da)(da)(da)马,所(suo)(suo)以(yi)人(ren)(ren)(ren)(ren)们(men)都很(hen)(hen)看(kan)(kan)(kan)重(zhong)(zhong)。因(yin)(yin)此(ci)(ci),人(ren)(ren)(ren)(ren)们(men)对(dui)于让位(wei)这(zhei)件事(shi),可以(yi)轻易地辞(ci)掉(diao)古代(dai)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)天(tian)(tian)(tian)(tian)子(zi)(zi),却(que)难以(yi)舍弃今(jin)(jin)(jin)天(tian)(tian)(tian)(tian)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)县(xian)官(guan);原因(yin)(yin)即(ji)在(zai)其间实(shi)际利益的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)大(da)(da)(da)小(xiao)很(hen)(hen)不—样(yang)(yang)。居住在(zai)山上(shang)要(yao)(yao)(yao)到谷底(di)汀(ting)水(shui)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)人(ren)(ren)(ren)(ren),逢(feng)年(nian)(nian)过(guo)节用水(shui)作为(wei)礼(li)品互相赠送(song);居住在(zai)洼地饱受水(shui)涝(lao)灾害(hai)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)人(ren)(ren)(ren)(ren),却(que)要(yao)(yao)(yao)雇人(ren)(ren)(ren)(ren)来(lai)挖渠排水(shui)。所(suo)(suo)以(yi)在(zai)荒年(nian)(nian)青(qing)黄不接的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)时候(hou),就(jiu)(jiu)连(lian)自(zi)己(ji)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)幼弟(di)来(lai)了(le)(le)也(ye)(ye)不肯(ken)管饭;在(zai)好(hao)年(nian)(nian)成的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)收获季节,即(ji)使(shi)是(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)疏(shu)(shu)远的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)过(guo)客也(ye)(ye)总(zong)要(yao)(yao)(yao)招待吃喝。不是(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)有意(yi)疏(shu)(shu)远自(zi)己(ji)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)骨肉而偏爱过(guo)路的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)客人(ren)(ren)(ren)(ren),而是(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)因(yin)(yin)为(wei)存粮(liang)多少(shao)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)实(shi)际情况(kuang)不同(tong)。因(yin)(yin)此(ci)(ci),古人(ren)(ren)(ren)(ren)轻视财(cai)物(wu)。并(bing)不是(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)因(yin)(yin)为(wei)仁(ren)义,而是(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)由于财(cai)多;今(jin)(jin)(jin)人(ren)(ren)(ren)(ren)互相争夺,并(bing)不是(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)因(yin)(yin)为(wei)卑(bei)鄙(bi),而是(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)由于财(cai)少(shao)。古人(ren)(ren)(ren)(ren)轻易辞(ci)掉(diao)天(tian)(tian)(tian)(tian)子(zi)(zi)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)职位(wei),并(bing)不是(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)什么(me)(me)风格高尚,而是(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)因(yin)(yin)为(wei)权(quan)势(shi)很(hen)(hen)小(xiao);今(jin)(jin)(jin)人(ren)(ren)(ren)(ren)争夺官(guan)位(wei)或依附权(quan)势(shi),也(ye)(ye)不是(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)什么(me)(me)品德(de)低下(xia),而是(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)因(yin)(yin)为(wei)权(quan)大(da)(da)(da)势(shi)重(zhong)(zhong)。所(suo)(suo)以(yi)圣人(ren)(ren)(ren)(ren)要(yao)(yao)(yao)衡量财(cai)物(wu)多少(shao)、权(quan)势(shi)大(da)(da)(da)小(xiao)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)实(shi)况(kuang)制(zhi)定政策。刑(xing)罚轻并(bing)不是(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)仁(ren)慈,刑(xing)罚重(zhong)(zhong)并(bing)不是(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)残暴(bao),适合社会状况(kuang)行动就(jiu)(jiu)是(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)了(le)(le)。因(yin)(yin)此(ci)(ci),政事(shi)要(yao)(yao)(yao)根据时代(dai)变化(hua),措施要(yao)(yao)(yao)针对(dui)社会事(shi)务(wu)。
古者(zhe)(zhe)(zhe)大王(wang)(wang)(wang)(wang)处丰、镐之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)间,地方(fang)百(bai)里,行(xing)仁(ren)义(yi)(yi)(yi)而怀西(xi)戎,遂(sui)王(wang)(wang)(wang)(wang)天(tian)下。徐偃王(wang)(wang)(wang)(wang)处汉东,地方(fang)五百(bai)里,行(xing)仁(ren)义(yi)(yi)(yi),割(ge)地而朝者(zhe)(zhe)(zhe)三十有(you)六国(guo)(guo)。荆文王(wang)(wang)(wang)(wang)恐其(qi)害己也,举兵(bing)伐徐,遂(sui)灭(mie)之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)。故(gu)文王(wang)(wang)(wang)(wang)行(xing)仁(ren)义(yi)(yi)(yi)而王(wang)(wang)(wang)(wang)天(tian)下,偃王(wang)(wang)(wang)(wang)行(xing)仁(ren)义(yi)(yi)(yi)而丧(sang)其(qi)国(guo)(guo),是(shi)仁(ren)义(yi)(yi)(yi)用于古不(bu)用于今也。故(gu)曰:世异(yi)则事异(yi)。当舜之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)时(shi),有(you)苗不(bu)服(fu),禹将(jiang)伐之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)。舜曰:“不(bu)可(ke)。上德不(bu)厚而行(xing)武(wu),非(fei)道也。”乃修(xiu)教三年,执干(gan)戚(qi)舞,有(you)苗乃服(fu)。共工(gong)之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)战,铁铦(xian)矩者(zhe)(zhe)(zhe)及乎敌,铠甲不(bu)坚(jian)者(zhe)(zhe)(zhe)伤乎体。是(shi)干(gan)戚(qi)用于古不(bu)用于今也。故(gu)曰:事异(yi)则备变(bian)。上古竞于道德,中世逐于智(zhi)谋,当今争于气力。齐将(jiang)攻鲁,鲁使子(zi)(zi)贡说之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)。齐人(ren)曰:“子(zi)(zi)言非(fei)不(bu)辩也,吾所(suo)欲(yu)者(zhe)(zhe)(zhe)土地也,非(fei)斯言所(suo)谓也。”遂(sui)举兵(bing)伐鲁,去门十里以为界(jie)。故(gu)偃王(wang)(wang)(wang)(wang)仁(ren)义(yi)(yi)(yi)而徐亡,子(zi)(zi)贡辩智(zhi)而鲁削。以是(shi)言之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi),夫仁(ren)义(yi)(yi)(yi)辩智(zhi),非(fei)所(suo)以持国(guo)(guo)也。去偃王(wang)(wang)(wang)(wang)之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)仁(ren),息子(zi)(zi)贡之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)智(zhi),循徐、鲁之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)力使敌万乘,则齐、荆之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)欲(yu)不(bu)得行(xing)于二国(guo)(guo)矣。
古(gu)代周文(wen)王(wang)(wang)地(di)(di)处(chu)丰、镐一带,方圆不(bu)(bu)(bu)(bu)过百里(li),他施(shi)(shi)行(xing)仁义(yi)(yi)的政(zheng)(zheng)(zheng)(zheng)策感化了(le)(le)(le)西戎。进(jin)而(er)统治了(le)(le)(le)天下(xia)。徐(xu)(xu)偃(yan)(yan)王(wang)(wang)统治着汉(han)水东面的地(di)(di)方,方圆有五百里(li),他也施(shi)(shi)行(xing)仁义(yi)(yi)的政(zheng)(zheng)(zheng)(zheng)策,有三(san)十(shi)六个国(guo)(guo)(guo)(guo)家向他割地(di)(di)朝贡(gong)。楚文(wen)王(wang)(wang)害(hai)怕徐(xu)(xu)国(guo)(guo)(guo)(guo)会危(wei)害(hai)到自己,便(bian)出兵(bing)伐徐(xu)(xu)灭了(le)(le)(le)徐(xu)(xu)国(guo)(guo)(guo)(guo)。所(suo)(suo)以(yi)周文(wen)王(wang)(wang)施(shi)(shi)行(xing)仁义(yi)(yi)得(de)了(le)(le)(le)天下(xia),而(er)徐(xu)(xu)偃(yan)(yan)王(wang)(wang)施(shi)(shi)行(xing)仁义(yi)(yi)却亡了(le)(le)(le)国(guo)(guo)(guo)(guo);这证明(ming)仁义(yi)(yi)只适用(yong)(yong)于(yu)(yu)古(gu)代而(er)不(bu)(bu)(bu)(bu)适用(yong)(yong)于(yu)(yu)今(jin)天。所(suo)(suo)以(yi)说;时(shi)代不(bu)(bu)(bu)(bu)同了(le)(le)(le),政(zheng)(zheng)(zheng)(zheng)事(shi)就(jiu)会随之不(bu)(bu)(bu)(bu)同。在舜(shun)当(dang)政(zheng)(zheng)(zheng)(zheng)的时(shi)候,苗(miao)族不(bu)(bu)(bu)(bu)驯服,禹(yu)主张用(yong)(yong)武(wu)力(li)去(qu)讨伐,舜(shun)说:“不(bu)(bu)(bu)(bu)行(xing)。我们(men)推(tui)行(xing)德(de)教还不(bu)(bu)(bu)(bu)够深(shen)就(jiu)动用(yong)(yong)武(wu)力(li),不(bu)(bu)(bu)(bu)合乎(hu)道(dao)(dao)(dao)理。”于(yu)(yu)是(shi)(shi)便(bian)用(yong)(yong)三(san)年时(shi)间加强德(de)教,拿(na)着盾(dun)牌和大(da)斧跳舞,苗(miao)族终于(yu)(yu)归服了(le)(le)(le)。到了(le)(le)(le)共(gong)工(gong)打(da)仗的时(shi)候,武(wu)器(qi)短的会被敌人(ren)(ren)击中(zhong),销甲不(bu)(bu)(bu)(bu)坚(jian)固(gu)的便(bian)会伤及(ji)身体;这表(biao)明(ming)拿(na)着盾(dun)牌和大(da)斧跳舞的德(de)政(zheng)(zheng)(zheng)(zheng)方法(fa)只能用(yong)(yong)于(yu)(yu)古(gu)代而(er)不(bu)(bu)(bu)(bu)能用(yong)(yong)于(yu)(yu)当(dang)今(jin)。所(suo)(suo)以(yi)说:情(qing)况变了(le)(le)(le),措施(shi)(shi)也要(yao)跟着改变。上(shang)古(gu)时(shi)候人(ren)(ren)们(men)在道(dao)(dao)(dao)德(de)上(shang)竞争高下(xia),中(zhong)古(gu)时(shi)候人(ren)(ren)们(men)在智谋上(shang)角逐优劣,当(dang)今(jin)社会人(ren)(ren)们(men)在力(li)量(liang)上(shang)较量(liang)输赢。齐(qi)国(guo)(guo)(guo)(guo)准备进(jin)攻(gong)鲁(lu)(lu)国(guo)(guo)(guo)(guo),鲁(lu)(lu)国(guo)(guo)(guo)(guo)派子(zi)贡(gong)去(qu)说服齐(qi)人(ren)(ren)。齐(qi)人(ren)(ren)说:“你(ni)的话(hua)说得(de)不(bu)(bu)(bu)(bu)是(shi)(shi)不(bu)(bu)(bu)(bu)巧妙,然而(er)我想要(yao)的是(shi)(shi)土地(di)(di),不(bu)(bu)(bu)(bu)是(shi)(shi)你(ni)所(suo)(suo)说的这套空话(hua)。”于(yu)(yu)是(shi)(shi)出兵(bing)攻(gong)打(da)鲁(lu)(lu)国(guo)(guo)(guo)(guo),把齐(qi)国(guo)(guo)(guo)(guo)的国(guo)(guo)(guo)(guo)界推(tui)进(jin)到距鲁(lu)(lu)国(guo)(guo)(guo)(guo)都城只有十(shi)里(li)远的地(di)(di)方。所(suo)(suo)以(yi)说徐(xu)(xu)偃(yan)(yan)王(wang)(wang)施(shi)(shi)行(xing)仁义(yi)(yi)而(er)徐(xu)(xu)亡了(le)(le)(le)国(guo)(guo)(guo)(guo),子(zi)贡(gong)机智善辩(bian)而(er)鲁(lu)(lu)失了(le)(le)(le)地(di)(di)。由此说来(lai),仁义(yi)(yi)道(dao)(dao)(dao)德(de)、机智善辩(bian)之类,都不(bu)(bu)(bu)(bu)是(shi)(shi)用(yong)(yong)来(lai)保全国(guo)(guo)(guo)(guo)家的正道(dao)(dao)(dao)。如果(guo)当(dang)初抛弃(qi)徐(xu)(xu)偃(yan)(yan)王(wang)(wang)的仁义(yi)(yi),不(bu)(bu)(bu)(bu)用(yong)(yong)子(zi)贡(gong)的巧辩(bian),而(er)是(shi)(shi)依靠徐(xu)(xu)、鲁(lu)(lu)两国(guo)(guo)(guo)(guo)的实力(li),去(qu)抵抗有万辆(liang)兵(bing)车的强敌,那么齐(qi)、楚的野心也就(jiu)不(bu)(bu)(bu)(bu)会在这两个国(guo)(guo)(guo)(guo)家里(li)得(de)逞了(le)(le)(le)。