《论语》中英文版
第十三章 子路篇(8)
子謂衛公子荊,“善居室。始有,曰:‘苟合矣。’少有,曰:‘苟完矣。’富有,曰:‘苟美矣。’”
The Master said of Jing, a scion of the ducal family of Wei, that he knew the economy of a family well. When he began to have means, he said, "Ha! here is a collection!" When they were a little increased, he said, "Ha! this is complete!" When he had become rich, he said, "Ha! this is admirable!"
【原文】
子谓卫公子荆善居室①。始有②,曰:“苟合矣③。”少有,曰:“苟完矣。”富有,曰:“苟美矣④。”
【今译】
孔子谈到卫公子荆,说他善于管理家业。开始有点家业,就说:‘凑合着够了’;稍多一些,就说‘差不多够用了’;富有时,却说:“几乎完美了”。
【注释】
①卫公子荆:卫献公的儿子,字南楚。善居室:善于治家。
②始有:刚有一点财产。
③苟合:差不多够用。合:用。
④美:完善。
【评点】
此章赞誉公子荆对于享受所抱的恬谈态度。公子荆才有一点家业,就说够用了;稍宽裕些,就说差不多齐备了;当富有时,就说很美满了。孔子赞美卫公子荆,初看没有什么了不起,实际上却含有深意,一个世家公子能修养到“知足常乐”,实在难能可贵。孔子赞美公子荆,实质上是在讽刺、讥评当时卫国统治者的贪婪、奢侈。 |