Chen Fan took out the small chair he had
prepared.(陳蕃下榻)
There was a famous minister in China's
Eastern Han Dynasty. His name was Chen Fan. His story is written in history
books.
He was a very upright man, but the king at
that time had some flattering and treacherous officials around him who disliked
him, so he was slandered. The king transferred him from the capital to Nanchang
in Jiangxi Province, China.
There was a system in the Han dynasty where
the king would ask officials from different places to recommend some talented
local people to him. After the king had evaluated and approved these people, he
would allow these talented people to work in the central government.
After Chen Fan arrived in this city, he
began to observe whether there were any famous people with outstanding
character or rich knowledge in the city.
He met a scholar named (Xu Zhi) there.
After spending some time with Xu Zhi, he
confirmed that Xu Zhi had a high moral character and was very knowledgeable, so
he expressed his wish to recommend (Xu Zhi) to work in the central government.
Xu Zhi said to Chen Fan.
I like my current lifestyle, and I think
there are many things in life that are more important than money and power. I
appreciate your kindness, but please forgive me if I do not accept your
recommendation.
Chen Fan replied with a smile.
I respect your choice and envy your current
lifestyle. Even if we don't have the chance to become central government
officials together, we can still be friends. If there is a chance, can I invite
you to my home or visit your home?
Xu Zhi replied with a smile.
Of course, no problem, I'd be happy to be
your friend.
Chen Fan later became very good friends
with Xu Zhi, and he often invited Xu Zhi to his home to talk and eat together.
During the Han Dynasty, people were used to
putting straw mats on the floor and sitting on them. In order to sit more
comfortably on the straw mats, people of that time usually sat on a wide, flat
small chair.
Chen Fan prepared a small chair especially
for Xu Zhi. Whenever Xu Zhi came to his house, Chen Fan would take out the
small chair he had prepared especially for Xu Zhi.
The literal translation of this idiom is
that Chen Fan took out the small chair he had specially prepared.
This idiom is used to describe a person who
is very respectful to his guests.
It is also used to describe a person who
has great respect for talented and virtuous people.
Dear friends, what are your feelings or
thoughts after listening to this story?
Do you have any friends whom you
particularly respect? Would your attitude to a person change because of his or
her poverty or wealth?
I hope this story can give you some new
insights.
陳蕃下榻(Chen Fan took out the small chair he
had prepared.)
中國的東漢王朝有一個著名的大臣,他名字叫做陳蕃,歷史書上記載了一個他的故事。
他是一個非常正直的人,當時的國王的身旁有一些擅長奉承與性格奸詐的官員不喜歡他,所以他被毀謗,國王就把他調離首都,他被調任到現在中國的江西省的南昌市。
漢王朝有一項制度,漢王朝的國王會要求由各個地方的官員推薦推薦當地的一些有才能的人給他,國王針對這些人進行考核確認之後會讓這些有才能的人進入中央政府工作。
陳蕃到了這座城市後,便開始觀察這座城市內有沒有品德卓越或是知識很豐富的名人。
他在這個地方認識了一個學者,這個學者的名字叫做(徐穉)。
他經過於徐穉的相處後,他確認徐穉的品德很高尚而且學問非常的豐富,所以他便表示希望推薦(徐穉)進入中央政府內工作。
徐穉對陳蕃說。
我喜歡現在的生活方式,我認為人生之中有很多事情比金錢與權力更重要,我很感謝你的好意,但請原諒我不接受你的推薦。
陳蕃微笑著回答。
我尊重你的選擇,我也很羨慕你現在的生活方式。雖然我們沒有機會一起成為中央政府的官員,但我們可以當朋友,如果有機會,我可以邀請你到我家作客或者是我去你家拜訪嗎?
徐穉微笑著回答。
當然沒有問題,我非常樂意跟你成為朋友。
陳蕃後來跟徐穉成為很要好的朋友,他常常邀請徐穉到他的家中一起聊天一起吃飯。
漢王朝的時候的人們習慣會在地上舖草墊然後坐在草墊上,為了在草墊上坐得比較舒適所以那個時代的人們通常會坐在一塊寬寬扁扁的小椅子上。
陳蕃特別為徐至準備了一把他所專屬的小椅子,只要徐穉到他家,陳蕃就會他所特別準備的給徐穉個人專用的小椅子拿出來。
這句成語直接翻譯的意思陳蕃把他所特別準備的小椅子拿出來。
這句成語被用來形容一個人對自己的客人非常的尊敬。
這句成語也被用來形容一個人非常尊重那些有才能的賢能的人。
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。
你有令你覺得特別尊敬的朋友嗎?你會因為一個人的貧窮或富有而改變對他的態度嗎?
我希望這故事能讓你產生一些新的收穫。
出處為後漢書-徐穉傳
https://zh.wikisource.org/wiki/%E5%BE%8C%E6%BC%A2%E6%9B%B8/%E5%8D%B753#%E5%BE%90%E7%A8%9A