說苑, Volume 5-8   By: Xiang Liu (77? BC - 6? BC)

說苑, Volume 5-8 by Xiang Liu is a fascinating collection of ancient Chinese wisdom and anecdotes. The author explores a wide range of topics, from love and friendship to governance and ethics. The stories are thought-provoking and provide valuable insights into human nature and society. Xiang Liu's writing is engaging and offers a glimpse into the cultural and philosophical traditions of ancient China. Overall, this collection is a great read for anyone interested in Chinese history, literature, or philosophy.

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圣人之于天下百姓也，其猶赤子乎！飢者則食之，寒者則衣之；將之 養之，育之長之；惟恐其不至于大也。詩曰：“蔽芾甘棠，勿剪勿伐，召 伯所茇。”傳曰：自陝以東者周公主之，自以西者召公主之。召公述職當 桑蚕之時，不欲變民事，故不入邑中，舍于甘棠之下而听斷焉，間之人皆 得其所。是故后世思而歌誄之，善之，故言之；言之不足，故嗟嘆之；嗟 嘆之不足，故歌詠之。夫詩思然后積，積然后滿，滿然后發，發由其道而 致其位焉；百姓嘆其美而致其敬，甘棠之不伐也，政教惡乎不行！孔子曰 ：“吾于甘棠，見宗廟之敬也。”甚尊其人，必敬其位，順安万物，古圣 之道几哉！仁人之德教也，誠惻隱于中，悃于內，不能已于其心；故其治 天下也，如救溺人，見天下強陵弱，眾暴寡；幼孤羸露，死傷系虜，不忍 其然，是以孔子歷七十二君，冀道之一行而得施其德，使民生于全育，安 土，万物熙熙，各樂其終，卒不遇，故睹麟而泣，哀道不行，德澤不洽， 于是退作春秋，明素王之道，以示后人，恩施其惠，未嘗輟忘，是以百王 尊之，志... Continue reading book >>