太(tai)史公牛(niu)马走,司马迁再拜(bai)言少卿足下:曩(nang)者(zhe)(zhe)辱赐书(shu),教以(yi)(yi)慎于接(jie)物,推(tui)贤进士(shi)为(wei)(wei)务;意(yi)(yi)气(qi)勤勤垦(ken)垦(ken),若望仆(pu)(pu)不(bu)(bu)(bu)相师(shi),而用(yong)流俗人之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)言。仆(pu)(pu)非敢如此也(ye)。虽罢驽,亦尝侧(ce)闻长者(zhe)(zhe)之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)遗风矣。顾自以(yi)(yi)为(wei)(wei)身残处秽,动而见尤(you),欲(yu)益反损;是以(yi)(yi)独郁悒(yi)而与谁(shei)语(yu)。谚曰:「谁(shei)为(wei)(wei)为(wei)(wei)之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)?孰令听之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)?」盖锺子期(qi)死(si),伯(bo)牙终身不(bu)(bu)(bu)复鼓琴(qin)。何则?士(shi)为(wei)(wei)知己(ji)者(zhe)(zhe)用(yong),女为(wei)(wei)悦己(ji)者(zhe)(zhe)容。若仆(pu)(pu)大质(zhi)已(yi)(yi)亏(kui)缺矣,虽材怀随、和,行(xing)若由(you)、夷(yi),终不(bu)(bu)(bu)可以(yi)(yi)为(wei)(wei)荣,适足以(yi)(yi)发(fa)笑而自点耳(er)。书(shu)辞(ci)宜答,会(hui)东从(cong)上(shang)来,又迫贱事,相见日(ri)浅,卒卒无须臾之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)间,得竭(jie)志意(yi)(yi)。今少卿抱不(bu)(bu)(bu)测之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)罪,涉旬(xun)月(yue),迫季冬,仆(pu)(pu)又薄从(cong)上(shang)雍,恐卒然不(bu)(bu)(bu)可讳(hui),是仆(pu)(pu)终已(yi)(yi)不(bu)(bu)(bu)得舒愤懑以(yi)(yi)晓左右,则长逝者(zhe)(zhe)魂(hun)魄私(si)恨无穷,请略陈(chen)固陋。阙然久不(bu)(bu)(bu)报,幸勿为(wei)(wei)过!
仆(pu)(pu)闻之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi),修身者,智之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)符也(ye);爱施者,仁(ren)之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)端也(ye);取予(yu)者,义之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)表也(ye);耻(chi)辱者,勇之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)决也(ye);立名(ming)者,行(xing)之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)极也(ye)。士(shi)有(you)(you)(you)此五者,然后(hou)可以(yi)托于(yu)(yu)(yu)世,而(er)列于(yu)(yu)(yu)君子之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)林矣(yi)。故祸莫(mo)憯于(yu)(yu)(yu)欲(yu)(yu)利,悲莫(mo)痛于(yu)(yu)(yu)伤心,行(xing)莫(mo)丑于(yu)(yu)(yu)辱先(xian),而(er)诟莫(mo)大于(yu)(yu)(yu)宫刑(xing)。刑(xing)余(yu)(yu)(yu)之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)人(ren)(ren),无(wu)所比(bi)数(shu),非(fei)一世也(ye),所从来远矣(yi)。昔卫灵公与雍渠同载,孔子适陈;商鞅因景监见(jian),赵良寒心;同子参乘,袁丝变色;自古(gu)而(er)耻(chi)之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)。夫以(yi)中材(cai)之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)人(ren)(ren),事有(you)(you)(you)关于(yu)(yu)(yu)宦竖,莫(mo)不(bu)伤气(qi),而(er)况慷(kang)慨之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)士(shi)乎!如(ru)今(jin)朝(chao)(chao)庭(ting)虽乏人(ren)(ren),奈何令刀锯之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)余(yu)(yu)(yu),荐(jian)天下(xia)(xia)豪隽哉(zai)?仆(pu)(pu)赖先(xian)人(ren)(ren)绪(xu)业,得(de)待罪辇毂下(xia)(xia)二十余(yu)(yu)(yu)年矣(yi)。所以(yi)自惟,上(shang)之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi),不(bu)能(neng)纳忠(zhong)效信,有(you)(you)(you)奇策材(cai)力之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)誉(yu),自结明(ming)主;次之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi),又不(bu)能(neng)拾(shi)遗(yi)补(bu)阙,招贤进(jin)能(neng),显(xian)岩(yan)穴(xue)之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)士(shi);外(wai)之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi),又不(bu)能(neng)备行(xing)伍,攻(gong)城野战,有(you)(you)(you)斩(zhan)将搴旗(qi)之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)功(gong);下(xia)(xia)之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi),又不(bu)能(neng)积日累(lei)劳,取尊官厚禄,以(yi)为宗(zong)族交游光宠。四(si)者无(wu)一遂,苟合取容,无(wu)所短长之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)效,可见(jian)如(ru)此矣(yi)。乡者,仆(pu)(pu)亦常厕下(xia)(xia)大夫之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)列,陪外(wai)廷末议,不(bu)以(yi)此时引维纲,尽思虑,今(jin)已亏形(xing),为扫(sao)除之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)隶,在闒茸之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)中,乃欲(yu)(yu)仰首伸(shen)眉,论(lun)列是非(fei),不(bu)亦轻朝(chao)(chao)廷,羞当世之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)士(shi)邪?嗟乎!嗟乎!如(ru)仆(pu)(pu)尚何言哉(zai)!尚何言哉(zai)!
且(qie)事(shi)本末未(wei)易(yi)明也(ye)。仆(pu)少(shao)(shao)负(fu)不(bu)(bu)(bu)羁之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)材(cai)(cai),长无乡曲之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)誉(yu),主(zhu)(zhu)上(shang)(shang)幸以(yi)(yi)(yi)先(xian)人(ren)(ren)(ren)之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)故(gu),使(shi)得(de)奏(zou)薄伎,出(chu)入周(zhou)卫之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)中(zhong)(zhong)。仆(pu)以(yi)(yi)(yi)为(wei)(wei)戴盆何(he)以(yi)(yi)(yi)望天(tian),故(gu)绝宾客之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)知,亡室家(jia)(jia)之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)业(ye),日夜竭其(qi)不(bu)(bu)(bu)肖之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)材(cai)(cai)力,务一心营职(zhi),以(yi)(yi)(yi)求亲媚于(yu)(yu)(yu)主(zhu)(zhu)上(shang)(shang),而事(shi)乃有(you)(you)大谬(miu)不(bu)(bu)(bu)然(ran)者(zhe)夫(fu)。仆(pu)与(yu)李(li)陵(ling),俱(ju)居门下(xia),素(su)(su)非能相(xiang)善也(ye),趣舍异路(lu)(lu),未(wei)尝衔杯酒,接(jie)殷(yin)勤之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)余(yu)欢(huan)。然(ran)仆(pu)观其(qi)为(wei)(wei)人(ren)(ren)(ren),自(zi)守奇(qi)(qi)士,事(shi)亲孝,与(yu)士信,临财廉(lian),取予义,分别有(you)(you)让(rang),恭(gong)俭下(xia)人(ren)(ren)(ren),常(chang)思奋不(bu)(bu)(bu)顾身(shen),以(yi)(yi)(yi)徇(xun)国(guo)家(jia)(jia)之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)急。其(qi)素(su)(su)所(suo)(suo)蓄积也(ye),仆(pu)以(yi)(yi)(yi)为(wei)(wei)有(you)(you)国(guo)士之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)风(feng)。夫(fu)人(ren)(ren)(ren)臣出(chu)万(wan)死不(bu)(bu)(bu)顾一生之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)计,赴(fu)公家(jia)(jia)之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)难,斯以(yi)(yi)(yi)奇(qi)(qi)矣。今举(ju)事(shi)一不(bu)(bu)(bu)当,而全躯保妻(qi)子(zi)之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)臣,随而媒孽其(qi)短(duan),仆(pu)诚私心痛之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)!且(qie)李(li)陵(ling)提步卒(zu)不(bu)(bu)(bu)满五千(qian),深(shen)践戎(rong)马之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)地,足(zu)历王庭,垂饵虎口(kou),横挑(tiao)强胡,仰亿万(wan)之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)师,与(yu)单于(yu)(yu)(yu)连战十(shi)有(you)(you)余(yu)日,所(suo)(suo)杀过当。虏救死扶(fu)伤(shang)不(bu)(bu)(bu)给,旃裘之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)君长咸震怖,乃悉徵其(qi)左右贤王,举(ju)引弓(gong)之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)人(ren)(ren)(ren),一国(guo)共攻而围之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)。转斗(dou)千(qian)里,矢尽(jin)道穷,救兵不(bu)(bu)(bu)至,士卒(zu)死伤(shang)如积。然(ran)李(li)陵(ling)一呼(hu)劳,军士无不(bu)(bu)(bu)起,躬自(zi)流涕,沫血(xue)饮(yin)泣,更(geng)张空弮,冒白刃,北(bei)向争死敌者(zhe)。陵(ling)未(wei)没时,使(shi)有(you)(you)来报(bao)(bao),汉(han)公卿王侯皆奉觞上(shang)(shang)寿。后数日,陵(ling)败书(shu)闻,主(zhu)(zhu)上(shang)(shang)为(wei)(wei)之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)食不(bu)(bu)(bu)甘味,听朝不(bu)(bu)(bu)怡,大臣忧(you)惧,不(bu)(bu)(bu)知所(suo)(suo)出(chu)。仆(pu)窃不(bu)(bu)(bu)自(zi)料其(qi)卑贱,见主(zhu)(zhu)上(shang)(shang)惨怆怛悼,诚欲(yu)效其(qi)款款之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)愚,以(yi)(yi)(yi)为(wei)(wei)李(li)陵(ling)素(su)(su)与(yu)士大夫(fu)绝甘分少(shao)(shao),能得(de)人(ren)(ren)(ren)之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)死力,虽(sui)古之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)名将不(bu)(bu)(bu)能过也(ye)。身(shen)虽(sui)陷败,彼观其(qi)意,且(qie)欲(yu)得(de)其(qi)当而报(bao)(bao)于(yu)(yu)(yu)汉(han);事(shi)已(yi)无可奈何(he),其(qi)所(suo)(suo)摧败,功亦(yi)足(zu)以(yi)(yi)(yi)暴于(yu)(yu)(yu)天(tian)下(xia)矣。仆(pu)怀欲(yu)陈之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi),而未(wei)有(you)(you)路(lu)(lu),适(shi)会(hui)召问,即以(yi)(yi)(yi)此指,推言(yan)陵(ling)之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)功,欲(yu)以(yi)(yi)(yi)广主(zhu)(zhu)上(shang)(shang)之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)意,塞睚眦(zi)之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)辞,未(wei)能尽(jin)明。明主(zhu)(zhu)不(bu)(bu)(bu)晓(xiao),以(yi)(yi)(yi)为(wei)(wei)仆(pu)沮贰师,而为(wei)(wei)李(li)陵(ling)游(you)说(shuo),遂(sui)下(xia)于(yu)(yu)(yu)理,拳拳之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)忠,终不(bu)(bu)(bu)能自(zi)列。因(yin)为(wei)(wei)诬上(shang)(shang),卒(zu)从(cong)吏(li)议。家(jia)(jia)贫,货赂(lu)不(bu)(bu)(bu)足(zu)以(yi)(yi)(yi)自(zi)赎,交(jiao)游(you)莫救视,左右亲近不(bu)(bu)(bu)为(wei)(wei)一言(yan)。身(shen)非木(mu)石(shi),独与(yu)法吏(li)为(wei)(wei)伍(wu),深(shen)幽囹圄(yu)之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)中(zhong)(zhong),谁可告诉(su)者(zhe)?此真少(shao)(shao)卿所(suo)(suo)亲见,仆(pu)行(xing)事(shi)岂(qi)不(bu)(bu)(bu)然(ran)乎?李(li)陵(ling)既(ji)生降(jiang),隤(tui)其(qi)家(jia)(jia)声,而仆(pu)又(you)佴之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)蚕(can)室,重为(wei)(wei)天(tian)下(xia)观笑(xiao)。悲(bei)(bei)夫(fu)!悲(bei)(bei)夫(fu)!
事(shi)未易(yi)一(yi)二为(wei)(wei)俗人(ren)言(yan)也(ye)(ye)(ye)。仆(pu)之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)先人(ren)非有剖(pou)符丹书之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)功,文(wen)史(shi)、星历,近乎(hu)(hu)卜祝之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)间,固(gu)(gu)主(zhu)上所(suo)戏(xi)弄,倡(chang)优(you)所(suo)畜,流俗之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)所(suo)轻也(ye)(ye)(ye)。假令仆(pu)伏法受(shou)(shou)(shou)诛,若九牛亡一(yi)毛,与(yu)(yu)蝼蚁何(he)(he)以(yi)异(yi)?而(er)世(shi)(shi)又不(bu)(bu)(bu)与(yu)(yu)能死(si)节(jie)者(zhe)(zhe)(zhe)比,特(te)以(yi)为(wei)(wei)智穷罪(zui)极,不(bu)(bu)(bu)为(wei)(wei)自免,卒就(jiu)死(si)耳。何(he)(he)也(ye)(ye)(ye)?素所(suo)自树立使然也(ye)(ye)(ye)。人(ren)固(gu)(gu)有一(yi)死(si),或重于(yu)(yu)(yu)泰山,或轻于(yu)(yu)(yu)鸿毛,用之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)所(suo)趋异(yi)也(ye)(ye)(ye)。太(tai)上不(bu)(bu)(bu)辱(ru)(ru)先,其(qi)(qi)(qi)(qi)次不(bu)(bu)(bu)辱(ru)(ru)身(shen),其(qi)(qi)(qi)(qi)次不(bu)(bu)(bu)辱(ru)(ru)理(li)色,其(qi)(qi)(qi)(qi)次不(bu)(bu)(bu)辱(ru)(ru)辞令,其(qi)(qi)(qi)(qi)次诎(qu)体(ti)受(shou)(shou)(shou)辱(ru)(ru),其(qi)(qi)(qi)(qi)次易(yi)服受(shou)(shou)(shou)辱(ru)(ru),其(qi)(qi)(qi)(qi)次关木索,被棰楚(chu)受(shou)(shou)(shou)辱(ru)(ru),其(qi)(qi)(qi)(qi)次剔(ti)毛发,婴金铁受(shou)(shou)(shou)辱(ru)(ru),其(qi)(qi)(qi)(qi)次毁肌(ji)肤(fu),断支体(ti)受(shou)(shou)(shou)辱(ru)(ru),最下腐(fu)刑(xing)极矣。传曰:「刑(xing)不(bu)(bu)(bu)上大夫(fu)。」此(ci)言(yan)士(shi)节(jie)不(bu)(bu)(bu)可不(bu)(bu)(bu)勉(mian)励也(ye)(ye)(ye)。猛(meng)虎(hu)在(zai)(zai)深山,百兽(shou)震恐,及(ji)其(qi)(qi)(qi)(qi)在(zai)(zai)槛阱之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)中,摇尾而(er)求食,积(ji)威约之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)渐也(ye)(ye)(ye)。故士(shi)有画(hua)地(di)为(wei)(wei)牢势(shi)不(bu)(bu)(bu)可入,削(xue)木为(wei)(wei)吏议不(bu)(bu)(bu)可对(dui),定计于(yu)(yu)(yu)鲜也(ye)(ye)(ye)。今(jin)交手足,受(shou)(shou)(shou)木索,暴肌(ji)肤(fu),受(shou)(shou)(shou)榜(bang)棰,幽(you)(you)于(yu)(yu)(yu)圜墙之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)中,当此(ci)之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)时,见(jian)狱(yu)(yu)吏则头枪地(di),视(shi)徒隶则正惕息,何(he)(he)者(zhe)(zhe)(zhe)?积(ji)威约之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)势(shi)也(ye)(ye)(ye)。及(ji)以(yi)至(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)此(ci),言(yan)不(bu)(bu)(bu)辱(ru)(ru)者(zhe)(zhe)(zhe),所(suo)谓强颜耳,曷足贵乎(hu)(hu)?且西伯(bo),伯(bo)也(ye)(ye)(ye),拘于(yu)(yu)(yu)羑里;李斯(si),相也(ye)(ye)(ye),具于(yu)(yu)(yu)五刑(xing);淮阴,王也(ye)(ye)(ye),受(shou)(shou)(shou)械于(yu)(yu)(yu)陈;彭越、张敖,南面(mian)称(cheng)孤,系(xi)狱(yu)(yu)抵罪(zui);绛侯诛诸(zhu)吕,权倾五伯(bo),囚于(yu)(yu)(yu)请室(shi);魏其(qi)(qi)(qi)(qi),大将也(ye)(ye)(ye),衣(yi)赭衣(yi),关三木,季布为(wei)(wei)朱家钳(qian)奴,灌(guan)夫(fu)受(shou)(shou)(shou)辱(ru)(ru)于(yu)(yu)(yu)居室(shi)。此(ci)人(ren)皆身(shen)至(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)王侯将相,声闻邻国,及(ji)罪(zui)至(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)罔加,不(bu)(bu)(bu)能引(yin)决(jue)自裁(cai),在(zai)(zai)尘埃之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)中,古今(jin)一(yi)体(ti),安在(zai)(zai)其(qi)(qi)(qi)(qi)不(bu)(bu)(bu)辱(ru)(ru)也(ye)(ye)(ye)?由(you)此(ci)言(yan)之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi),勇怯(qie),势(shi)也(ye)(ye)(ye);强弱,形也(ye)(ye)(ye)。审矣,何(he)(he)足怪乎(hu)(hu)?夫(fu)人(ren)不(bu)(bu)(bu)能蚤(zao)自裁(cai)绳墨之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)外,已(yi)稍陵迟,至(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)于(yu)(yu)(yu)鞭(bian)棰之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)间,乃(nai)欲引(yin)节(jie),斯(si)不(bu)(bu)(bu)亦远乎(hu)(hu)?古人(ren)所(suo)以(yi)重施刑(xing)于(yu)(yu)(yu)大夫(fu)者(zhe)(zhe)(zhe),殆为(wei)(wei)此(ci)也(ye)(ye)(ye)。夫(fu)人(ren)情莫不(bu)(bu)(bu)贪(tan)生恶死(si),念父(fu)母,顾妻(qi)子,至(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)激于(yu)(yu)(yu)义理(li)者(zhe)(zhe)(zhe)不(bu)(bu)(bu)然,乃(nai)有所(suo)不(bu)(bu)(bu)得已(yi)也(ye)(ye)(ye)。今(jin)仆(pu)不(bu)(bu)(bu)幸(xing),蚤(zao)失父(fu)母,无兄弟(di)之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)亲,独身(shen)孤立,少卿视(shi)仆(pu)于(yu)(yu)(yu)妻(qi)子何(he)(he)如哉(zai)?且勇者(zhe)(zhe)(zhe)不(bu)(bu)(bu)必(bi)死(si)节(jie),怯(qie)夫(fu)慕义,何(he)(he)处不(bu)(bu)(bu)勉(mian)焉。仆(pu)虽(sui)怯(qie)懦(nuo)欲苟(gou)活(huo),亦颇识(shi)去就(jiu)之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)分矣,何(he)(he)至(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)自沈溺(ni)缧绁之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)辱(ru)(ru)哉(zai)?且夫(fu)臧获婢妾,由(you)能引(yin)决(jue),况(kuang)仆(pu)之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)不(bu)(bu)(bu)得已(yi)乎(hu)(hu)?所(suo)以(yi)隐忍苟(gou)活(huo),幽(you)(you)于(yu)(yu)(yu)粪(fen)土(tu)之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)中而(er)不(bu)(bu)(bu)辞者(zhe)(zhe)(zhe),恨私心有所(suo)不(bu)(bu)(bu)尽,鄙陋(lou)没世(shi)(shi)而(er)文(wen)采不(bu)(bu)(bu)表于(yu)(yu)(yu)后(hou)世(shi)(shi)也(ye)(ye)(ye)。
古(gu)者富贵而(er)名(ming)摩灭,不可胜记(ji),唯倜傥非(fei)常之(zhi)(zhi)人(ren)(ren)称焉。盖文王拘而(er)演(yan)周易,仲尼厄而(er)作春(chun)秋(qiu);屈原放逐,乃(nai)赋离(li)骚;左(zuo)丘失明(ming),厥有国(guo)语;孙子膑脚,兵法修列;不韦迁蜀(shu),世传吕(lv)览;韩(han)非(fei)囚秦(qin),说(shuo)难(nan)(nan)、孤愤(fen);诗(shi)三(san)百篇(pian),大抵(di)贤圣发(fa)愤(fen)之(zhi)(zhi)所(suo)为作也。此(ci)人(ren)(ren)皆意(yi)有所(suo)郁结,不得通其(qi)(qi)道,故(gu)述(shu)往事(shi),思来者。乃(nai)如左(zuo)丘明(ming)无目,孙子断足,终不可用,退(tui)而(er)论书(shu)(shu)(shu)策(ce),以舒其(qi)(qi)愤(fen),思垂空文以自(zi)见(jian)。仆窃不逊,近自(zi)托于(yu)无能之(zhi)(zhi)辞,网罗天下放失旧闻,略考其(qi)(qi)行事(shi),综(zong)其(qi)(qi)终始,稽(ji)其(qi)(qi)成败(bai)兴坏之(zhi)(zhi)纪(ji),上计轩辕,下至(zhi)于(yu)兹,为十(shi)表,本纪(ji)十(shi)二(er),书(shu)(shu)(shu)八章,世家三(san)十(shi),列传七(qi)十(shi),凡百三(san)十(shi)篇(pian),亦(yi)欲以究(jiu)天人(ren)(ren)之(zhi)(zhi)际,通古(gu)今之(zhi)(zhi)变(bian),成一家之(zhi)(zhi)言。草创(chuang)未(wei)就,会(hui)遭此(ci)祸,惜(xi)其(qi)(qi)不成,是以就极刑(xing)而(er)无愠色(se),仆诚(cheng)已著此(ci)书(shu)(shu)(shu),藏之(zhi)(zhi)名(ming)山,传之(zhi)(zhi)其(qi)(qi)人(ren)(ren),通邑大都(dou);则仆偿前辱之(zhi)(zhi)责,虽万被戮,岂有悔哉!然此(ci)可为智者道,难(nan)(nan)为俗(su)人(ren)(ren)言也。
且(qie)负下未(wei)易居,下流(liu)多谤议。仆以(yi)口语遇遭此祸,重为乡里所戮笑,以(yi)污(wu)辱(ru)先人,亦何(he)面目复上父母之丘墓乎(hu)?虽累百(bai)世,垢弥甚耳。是以(yi)肠一日而九回(hui),居则(ze)忽忽若有所亡,出则(ze)不知其所往。每(mei)念(nian)斯(si)耻,汗未(wei)尝不发背沾衣也!身直为闺閤之臣(chen),宁得自引(yin)于(yu)深藏岩穴邪(xie)!故且(qie)从(cong)俗浮沈(shen),与时俯仰(yang),以(yi)通其狂惑。今少卿乃教以(yi)推(tui)贤进士,无乃与仆私心刺谬乎(hu)!今虽欲自雕琢曼辞以(yi)自解,无益,于(yu)俗不信,适足取辱(ru)耳。要之,死日,然后是非乃定。书不能尽(jin)意(yi),故略(lve)陈固陋,谨再拜。
【校注】此篇参校以《四(si)部丛刊》影宋本《六臣注文选(xuan)》卷四(si)十一(yi)。