A person who acts unjustly for his own benefit(鄉利倍義) / People's heart is unpredictable (We can't predict a person's heart(人心難測)
A person who acts unjustly for his own
benefit(鄉利倍義)
People's heart is unpredictable (We can't
predict a person's heart(人心難測)
The name of the founding king of the Han
Dynasty in Chinese history was (Liu Bang), and the name of the most important
general who assisted him in establishing the Han Dynasty was (Han Xin).
The story of (Han Xin)'s life is very
wonderful, and one of his stories is recorded in history.
He has a very important staff who is
proficient in physiognomy. The name of this staff officer is (Kuai Tong).
(Kui Tong) suggested that he break away
from the Kingdom of Han and establish a new kingdom by himself.
Han Xin replied after pondering.
I can't follow your advice, because Liu
Bang, king of the Han Dynasty, is my very good friend.
He treats me like his brother and he treats
me very well.
He shared with me all his belongings, from
carriage and clothes to food.
He was so kind to me and I am very grateful
to him.
I should help share his worries, and I
should do my best to repay him.
I don't think one should violate loyalty
and justice for one's own benefit.
(Kuai Tong) answer.
Do you really think that Liu Bang regards
you as his biological brother? I don't think you are right in thinking that.
You treat Liu Bang with loyalty and
justice, but do you think Liu Bang will treat you with the same standard?
There was a famous minister in the Han
Dynasty. This person is also your good friend. He is (Zhang Er).
(Zhang Er) Once had a good friend named
(Chen Yu).
The two of them used to be very close, and
both of them expressed their willingness to sacrifice their lives for each
other.
Then a life-threatening incident actually
happened.
When the test came, the two of them changed
from friends to enemies because the other's behavior did not meet their
expectations.
The two of them became very resentful
towards each other, and a few years ago, (Chen Er) killed (Chen Yu) in a war.
I think there are two things that will
never change, greed can lead to disaster, we can't predict a person's heart.
(Kuai Tong) paused.
Han Xin listened intently to him.
(Kuai Tong) continued.
The identities and backgrounds between the
two of them are similar, and they have a friendship of more than ten years, but
they became enemies in the end.
You and Liu Bang are not equal in status
and background, he is the king and you are his general.
You haven't known each other for long, so I
don't think you should conclude that Liu Bang is like you. I don't think Liu
Bang will treat you with the same justice and loyalty.
The first idiom means that a person does an
unjust act for his own benefit.
The second idiom means that it is difficult
for us to predict a person's heart.
Dear friend, what are your feelings or
thoughts after hearing this story?
Have you ever had this kind of good friend
who is like your biological brother? Is your relationship still so deep now?
I hope this story can give you some new
harvest.
鄉利倍義(A person who acts unjustly for his
own benefit)
人心難測(People's heart is unpredictable (We
can't predict a person's heart)
中國歷史上的漢王朝開國國王的名字叫做(劉邦)，協助他創建漢王朝的最重要的將軍的名字是(韓信)。
(韓信)一生的故事非常的精采，歷史上記載了一個他的故事。
他有一個很重要的精通面相學的參謀。這位參謀的名字叫做(蒯通)。
(蒯通)建議他脫離漢王國，自己成立一個新的王國。
韓信經過沉思後回答。
我無法聽從你的建議，因為漢王朝的國王劉邦是我很好的朋友。
他把我當作他的親兄弟，他對我非常的好。
他把他的所有東西都與我一起分享，不論是馬車與衣服還有食物。
他對我太好了，我非常的感謝他。
我應該要幫忙分擔他的憂慮、我應該要盡全力去回報他。
我認為一個人不應該為了自已的利益而違背忠誠與正義。
(蒯通)回答。
你真的覺得劉邦把你當作他的親生兄弟嗎?我不認為你的這個想法是對的。
你用忠誠與正義對待劉邦，但是你認為劉邦會用相同的標準來對待你嗎?
漢王朝有一個著名的大臣，這個人也是你的好朋友，他就是(張耳)。
(張耳)曾經有一個好朋友叫做(陳餘)。
他們兩個人曾經非常的要好，他們兩個人都曾經表示過願意為了對方犧牲自已的生命。
後來真的發生了一個生命攸關的事件。
當考驗來臨時，他們兩個人因為對方的行為不符合自己的期望、所以他們從原來的好友變成了仇人。
他們兩個變得非常怨恨彼此，幾年前，(陳耳)在一場戰爭中殺了(陳餘)。
我認為有兩件事情是不會變的、貪心會導致禍患，我們無法預測一個人的內心。
(蒯通)停頓了一下。
韓信專注地聽著他說話。
(蒯通)繼續說。
他們兩個人之間的身分背景是類似的，而且他們之間有著超過十年的交情，但是他們最後卻成了仇人。
你與劉邦的身分背景並不平等，他是國王而你是他手下的將軍。
你們認識的時間也不長，所以我認為你不應該斷定劉邦像你一樣，我認為劉邦不會用同樣的正義與忠誠來對待你。
第一句成語的意思是一個人為了自己的利益而做出不正義的行為。
第二句成語的意思是我們難以預測一個人的內心。
親愛的朋友，你聽完這個故事有怎樣的感受或有怎樣的想法呢。
你有過這種就像是你的親生兄弟一樣的好朋友嗎?你們現在的感情依舊如此深厚嗎?
我希望這故事能讓你產生一些新的收穫。
出處為史記-淮陰侯列傳