Look ahead, then look back.(瞻前顧後)
During the Warring States period in China,
the Kingdom of Chu had a famous minister named Qu Yuan.
This was a time of great chaos and turmoil.
Of royal descent, Qu Yuan was deeply concerned about the affairs of the Chu
kingdom and the lives of its people.
A man of lofty ideals, he sought to reform
the Chu Kingdom's corrupt central government and bravely stood up against
ministers who cared only about pleasure, power and wealth.
Ultimately, however, he did not achieve his
goals. At the age of 64, having suffered a devastating setback, he took his own
life by jumping into a river.
He is also recognised as China's first
poet. He wrote a poem expressing his life experiences and aspirations. This
poem, comprising over 2,400 characters, is considered the most magnificent
lyric poem in Chinese literary history.
It is titled Li Sao, which literally means
'the sorrows I have suffered'.
The following are the general meanings of
several lines from the poem.
The natural laws governing the world are
just and impartial, showing no favouritism.
When He sees those of high moral character,
He grants them the opportunity to display their talents.
Only those whose virtue, wisdom and ability
surpass those of ordinary people can effectively govern a vast land and its
people.
I examine China's past history and, based
on my research, predict what the future may hold.
First I look ahead, then I look back.
Having carefully studied the rise and fall of dynasties throughout Chinese
history, I have gained a deep understanding of the fundamental principle of the
people's will.
Having conducted this research, I have
reached a conclusion.
A government can only be stable and earn
the people's genuine support by upholding justice and goodness.
My current situation is extremely precarious.
I know my leader dislikes me and that my life is in danger at any moment.
However, I have examined and listened to my thoughts, and I will not regret
having fallen into this situation.
This idiom literally means 'look ahead
before looking back'.
It can
be used to describe someone who is careful and thorough in their work.
However, it can also describe someone who
is hesitant or overly cautious.
Dear friends, what insights or thoughts
have you gained from this story?
Do you make a thorough plan before
undertaking any task? Would you compromise your principles just to gain your
boss's approval?
I hope this story will provide you with
some new insights.
瞻前顧後(Look ahead, then look back.)
中國的戰國時代的楚王國有一個著名的大臣，他的名字叫做屈原。
中國的戰國時代是一個非常混亂且動盪的時代，屈原有王室的血統，他對楚王國的國家大事非常的關心，他也很在乎楚王國的人民的生活。
他是一個有著崇高的理想的人，他想要改革楚王國的腐敗的中央政府，他奮勇對抗當時楚王國的許多只想要享樂與只在乎權力與金錢的大臣們。
他最終沒有實現他的人生理想，在他大約64歲那一年，他在經歷一次巨大的打擊之後，他選擇跳河自殺。
他也是中國公認的第一個詩人，他寫過詩一首詩來表述說他的人生遭遇與他的人生追求，這首詩多達2400多個字，是中國文學史上最宏偉的抒情長詩。
這首詩的詩名叫做(離騷)，直接翻譯的意思是我所遭受到的憂患。
這首詩中有幾句詩的大概意思如下。
主宰這個世界運行的自然法則是公義且公正的、祂不會偏袒任何人。
當祂看到那些道德水平很高的人的時候，祂會讓這些人有機會發揮自己的才能。
只有那些在德行、智慧和能力都超越一般人的人才能夠領導一片廣大的土地並且管理好這一塊土地上的人民。
我觀看中國以前的歷史，我根據我的研究來預測未來可能會發生的事。
我先看看前方之後再回頭看看後方，我認真研究了中國歷史上的各個朝代的興衰後，我深刻理解了民心所向的根本原则。
我經過研究後，我得到一個結論。
唯有堅持正義與良善，統治才能穩固，才能贏得人民的真心擁戴。。
我現在的情況非常地危險，我知道現在的領導者很討厭我，我隨時隨地會有生命的危險。但是我審視並且傾聽我的初衷，我不會對自己陷入這種危難地情況而感到後悔。
這句成語直接翻譯的意思先看看前方再回頭看看後方。
這句成語可以被用來形容一個人做事謹慎周密。
這句成語也可以被用來形容一個人做事猶豫不決、這個人顧慮太多。
親愛的朋友，你聽完這個故事有怎樣的啟發或有怎樣的想法呢。
你執行任何工作前，你會擬定嚴密的計畫嗎?你會因為希望得到領導的認同而改變自己的原則嗎?
我期待這故事能讓你產生一些新的收穫。
出處為楚-屈原-離騷