Warm, moist and glossy.(溫潤而澤)
Confucius's real name was Kong Qiu. 'Kong
Fuzi' is the respectful title given to him by others.
He was an exceptional educator. He is one
of the most influential thinkers in Chinese history.
He had over 3,000 students, 72 of whom were
particularly outstanding. Stories about his disciples are recorded in
historical books.
Each of Confucius's students had their own
strengths: some had excellent character, some were eloquent, some were highly
capable and some were suited to focused academic study.
One of these students, Duanmu Ci, possessed
sharp eloquence and skillful words. He was also adept at business and was a
successful merchant.
One day, Duanmu Ci asked Confucius a
question.
'There's a question that puzzles me: Why do
virtuous and talented people like jade so much? Is it because jade is a rare
stone?"
Confucius smiled and answered.
"This is an excellent question. Few
people consider this common trend in our lives. Most people simply follow those
of high moral character who wear jade ornaments. I'd be happy to tell you the
real reasons why talented and virtuous people appreciate jade.'
In ancient China, virtuous individuals
believed that jade possessed qualities that inspired them to become better
people. Therefore, they wore jade ornaments.
Confucius paused, then continued:
'Jade ornaments, with their warm, smooth
and lustrous appearance, were associated with benevolence.
The fine, firm texture of jade, like a
chestnut, was associated with wisdom.
Even when jade ornaments had sharp edges,
they would not harm, which associated them with principles.
The way in which jade ornaments drape when
worn or on clothing was associated with politeness.
When two pieces of jade were gently tapped
together, they produced a clear, resonant sound that reminded them of calming
music.
Each piece of jade had blemishes, but these
did not obscure its overall beauty, which was associated with loyalty.
The translucency of the jade reminded them
of trust.
Its colour, like the sky, reminded them of
the vastness of the heavens.
Jade lies deep beneath the earth, reminding
them of the land's solid foundation.
Ritual objects made of jade could convey
genuine emotions between people, reminding them of morality.
Confucius paused for about ten seconds
before slowly speaking.
While most ordinary people do not
understand the meanings implied by jade, many still enjoy wearing jade
jewellery.
I believe this is jade's ultimate quality:
it reflects the most fundamental truth in the world — the inherent pursuit of
perfection and noble character within each of us.
The idiom literally translates as 'warm,
moist and glossy'.
It is used to describe someone whose
attitude and speech are gentle and mild.
Dear friend, what inspiration or thoughts
did you gain from this story?
What kind of material do you prefer? Have
you ever blindly followed trends and bought things you didn't like at all?
I hope this story gives you some new
insights.
溫潤而澤(Warm, moist and glossy.)
孔子的名字是(孔丘)。孔夫子是人們對他的尊稱。
他是一位傑出的教育家。他是為中國歷史上最有影響力的思想家之一。
他的學生超過3000人，其中特別傑出的學生有72個，在歷史書中紀錄了他的弟子的一些故事。
孔子的學生們各有其特長，其中有些人的品德很好，有些人的口才很棒，有些人的工作能力很強，有些人適合專心研究學問。
孔子有一個學生的名字叫做端木賜，他有著鋒利的口才與巧妙的言詞。他很擅長經商，他還是一個成功的商人。
有一天，端木賜問孔子一個問題。
有一個令我感到疑惑的問題，為何那些品德高尚而且很有才能的人都很喜歡玉石呢?他們是因為玉石是一種很稀有的石頭所以喜歡嗎?
孔子微笑著回答。
這個問題很棒，很少人深入地去思考這個在我們生活中常見的風潮，大多數人都盲目地跟著那些品德高尚的人在身上配戴玉石所製作而成的飾品，我很樂意告訴你為何那些品德高尚且有才能的人喜歡玉石的真正原因。
中國古代的那些品德高尚的人，他們認為玉石有很多特質，這些特質可以啟發並提醒自己如何成為一個更好的人，所以他們在身上配戴玉石所做成的飾品。
孔子停頓了一下繼續說。
玉石做成的飾品，看起來又溫暖又滋潤有光澤，這讓他們聯想到仁慈。
玉石這種材質的質地細密堅實像是栗子一樣，這讓他們聯想到智慧。
玉石做成的飾品就算有稜角但卻不會傷人，這讓他們聯想到原則。
玉石做的飾品帶在身上或衣服上的時候那種下墜的模樣，這讓他們聯想到禮貌。
當他們拿起兩塊玉石輕輕地相互敲擊時會發出清脆響亮的聲音，這讓他們聯想到可以平靜人心的音樂。
每塊玉石上面都會有斑點，但是這些斑點並不會掩蓋這塊玉石整體的美好，這讓他們聯想到忠誠。
玉石這種材質很透光，這讓他們聯想到信任。
玉石的顏色像是天空一樣，這讓他們聯想到廣闊的天空。
玉石深藏在大地底下，這讓他們聯想到厚實的大地。
玉石做成的一些禮器能夠傳達人們之間的真摯情感，這讓他們聯想到道德。
孔子停頓了大約十秒鐘後緩緩地說。
大多數的普通人雖然不了解這些玉石所蘊含的意涵，但是大多數人仍然很喜歡配戴玉石所做成的飾品
我認為這是玉石的最後一個特質，玉石反映出這個世界上最質樸的最底層的道理，這個道理就是我們每個人內心都有著對於完美與高尚的人格的追求。
這一句成語直接翻譯的意思是又溫暖又滋潤有光澤
這一句成語被用來比喻一個人的態度與言語溫和又柔順。
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。
你喜歡那種材質的物品呢?你是否曾經盲目的跟著風潮追捧一些你根本不喜歡的東西呢?
我期待這故事能讓你產生一些新的收穫。
出處為禮記-聘義-12條