11月14日

諫太宗十思疏
唐 魏徵 ( 580~643 )

君人者，誠能見可欲，則思知足以自戒；
將有所作，則思知止以安人；
念高危，則思謙沖而自牧；
懼滿溢，則思江海而下百川；
樂盤游，則思三驅以為度；
憂懈怠，則思慎始而敬終；
慮壅蔽，則思虛心以納下；
想讒邪，則思正身以黜惡；
恩所加，則思無因喜以謬賞；
罰所及，則思無因怒而濫刑。
總此十思，弘茲九德。簡能而任之，
擇善而從之，則智者盡其謀，勇者竭其力，
仁者播其惠，信者效其忠。

──選自《貞觀政要》

November 14

A Petition of Ten Thoughts to Emperor Taizong
Wei Zheng (580 - 643, Tang Dynasty)
English translation: Miao Guang

As the emperor,
If you see something desirable,
    think of contentment
    so as to discipline yourself.
If you intend to undertake an endeavor,
    think of stopping before going too far
    so as to give your people peace.
If you feel danger for your high position,
    think of being modest and self-disciplined.
If you fear complacency,
    think of how the ocean lowers itself
    in position to the rivers.
If you take pleasure in hunting,
    think of limiting it to
    only three times per year.
If you worry about indolence and negligence,
    think of carefully making a start
    and respectfully seeing it to the end.
If you suspect deceit,
    think of opening your mind
    to your subjects.
If you sense slander and fallacy,
    think of rectifying the self
    so as to dismiss unrighteous people.
If you intend to bestow grace,
    think of avoiding undeserved rewards
    given as a result of favoritism.
If you plan to inflict punishment,
    think of refraining from abusing tortures
    inflicted by your wrath.

Should you bear in mind these ten thoughts, and glorify the nine virtues,
you shall be able to employ the able, and consult the virtuous. Consequently, the
wise shall contribute to the best of their resourceful strategies, the brave their
strength and vigor, the benevolent their kindness, and the faithful their loyalty.

── from Zhenguan Zhengyao (Essentials of Government in the Zhenguan Period)