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Renwuzhi 人物志 "Treatise about Human Character" by Liu Shao 劉邵 | Literature by A to Z Literature by time Literature by theme Literature by Sibu | ||
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10. The seven errors The first error is this. In making an examination of a man's reputation, there is the error of partiality. The second is, that in coming in contact with men, there is the deception caused by love and hate. The third is, that when we measure what is in the mind of another, there are mistakes of quantity. The fourth is, the doubt as to whether the grade of a man's substance matures early or late in his life. The fifth is, in differentiating classes, there is the enmity of competitors. The sixth is, in discussing abilities, there is the deception due to judging by the position which the man holds. The seventh is, in observing the extraordinary, there is the defect of the two extremes. 夫採訪之要不在多少.然徴質不明者,信耳而不敢信目.故人以為是,則心隨而明之.人以為非,則意轉而化之.雖無所嫌,意若不意. The important point in gathering information does not lie in quantity. But those who do not possess illumination in asking for substance truse their ears, but dare not trust their eyes. Therefore when others say that something is right, such a man's will follow their jugment in making his own estimate. If others say it is wrong, his mind will be changed and transformed with their judgment. Although he has no preonceived dislikes, there will seem to be doubt in his mind. [...] 夫人情莫不趣名利,避損害.名利之路在於是得.損害之源在於非失.故人無賢愚皆欲使是得在己. Human nature always stries for fame and fortune and avoids injury. The road to fame and fortune lies in the rightness of acquisition. The source of injury lies in the wrongness of loss. Therefore men, whether worthy or foolish, desire to have the rightness of acquisition for themselves. [..] 中材之人,則隨世損益.是故藉富貴,則貨財充於內.施惠周於外.見贍者求可稱而譽之.見援者闡小美而大之.雖無異材,猶行成而名立. Men of medium ability are controlled by circumstances. Therefore by availing themselves of wealth and rank, their riches will be full within, and their gifts large without. Those who receive their gifts will search for worthy qualities and praise them. Those who have been helped by them will elaborate their small merits, and enlarge them. Although they have no extraordinary abilities, it will be as if their acts are complete and their fame established.[...] Translated by J. K. Shyrock |