A role model for generations.(一代楷模)
During the Tang dynasty in China, there was
a famous general named Li Jing. He was exceptionally skilled in warfare and won
numerous victories through his wisdom. History records his story:
At the age of 60, he destroyed the Eastern
Turkic Khaganate, and at 65 he destroyed the Tuyuhun Kingdom. Even at the age
of 74, he wanted to join the army and attack the Goryeo Kingdom, but the king
refused his request. Throughout his life, he fought in many battles, always on
the front lines. He was absolutely loyal to the Tang dynasty, earning the
respect of the Tang king, his ministers and the general population.
Li Jing was a calm and gentle person. He
embodied the virtues of honesty and simplicity, treating those around him with
tolerance.
His military achievements were outstanding,
yet he never displayed arrogance or pride. When attending important meetings in
the kingdom, he always adopted a respectful and cautious attitude. He spoke
little, but every word he said carried great weight.
Li Shimin, the second emperor of the Tang
Dynasty, was one of the most famous and revered emperors in Chinese history.
When Li Jing was 64 years old, he requested
retirement from Li Shimin. He explained that, after years of warfare, his feet
had become very painful and he needed to rest to allow them to recover
properly.
Li Shimin replied to Li Jing.
Based on all the history books I have read,
I have found that, throughout history, only a very small number of people have
understood the principle of contentment. Most people are overcome by desire
and, after gaining money and power, crave even more.
In my life, I have met many people, some
very intelligent and some very foolish, but I have found that most people have a
subjective assessment of their abilities. Most people overestimate their
abilities, believing that they can achieve greater glory and applause.
Once they have climbed to a high position,
most people become reluctant to leave. They will try every means to stay in
their current position, disregarding their health and abilities as they cling
stubbornly to it, determined to avoid falling.
'Li Shimin said to Li Jing in an approving
tone.
'But you are different. You can discern
what is truly valuable in a person's life. I believe that your request for a
long leave of absence to allow your legs to fully recover is a wise choice.
You are a wise man, but you are too
important to the Tang Dynasty. After careful consideration, I will not grant
your request for retirement. However, I will grant you an extended leave of
absence and reduce your workload.
Finally, I would like to publicly commend
you for your actions and choices, which are absolutely correct. You are worthy
of being a role model for generations.”
This idiom translates directly as 'a model
for generations'.
Dear friend, what inspiration or thoughts
did you gain from this story?
Can you clearly distinguish what is most
important in life? Once you have enjoyed power and money, do you think you will
be able to resist letting desire overcome reason?
I
hope this story will give you some new insights.
一代楷模(A role model for generations.)
中國的唐王朝有一個著名的將軍，他的名字叫做李靖，他非常的擅長打仗，他用他的智慧贏得了許多勝利，歷史書上記載了一個他的故事。
他在60歲的時候消滅了東突厥王國，65歲的時候消滅了吐谷渾王國，他到了74歲的時候，仍然想要跟隨軍隊一起去攻打高麗王國，但是他這個請求被國王拒絕了，他的一生中經歷了許多戰役，他始終站在戰場的第一線，他對唐王朝絕對的忠誠，他受到唐王朝的國王與當時的許多大臣和百姓們的尊敬。
李靖的個性非常的沉穩且溫和，他具備誠實與質樸的好品德，他用寬容的態度對待他身邊的人。
他的戰功彪炳，但是他沒有表現出囂張與驕傲的姿態，他在參加王國中的重要會議時，總是表現出恭敬且謹慎的態度，他的話說得很少，但是每句話都很有份量。
唐王朝的第二任國王的名字是李世民，他是中國歷史上最著名、最被眾人推崇的幾個國王之一
李靖在他64歲那一年，曾經對李世民提出了他要退休的請求，他對李世民說，由於長年的征戰，我的雙腳已經變得非常疼痛與不舒服，我必須要好好的休息，才能讓我的雙腳完全康復。
李世民對李靖說。
根據我讀過的所有歷史書，我發現到從古至今，只有極其少數的人懂得知足的道理。大多數人總是被慾望戰勝理智，大多數人在有了一些錢與一些權力之後，都會更加地渴望更多的權力與金錢。
在我的一生中我遇過非常多人，這些人有些很聰明，有些很愚笨，但我發現大部分的人對於自己的能力的評價非常不客觀，大多數人總是高估自已的能力，大多數人認為自己的能力可以給自己帶來更多的榮耀與掌聲。
大多數人當自己爬到高位之後，他就會捨不得離開這個位置，他會想盡辦法讓自己繼續待在現在這個位置上，他會不顧自己的身體健康與能力、硬撐著讓自己繼續待在這個位置上不往下掉。
李世民用讚許的語氣對李靖說。
但是你不同，你能夠分辨出一個人的人生中到底那些東西是最有價值的，我認為你現在申請休長假，讓你的雙腳完全康復這是一件非常了不起的選擇。
你是一個真正有智慧的人，但是由於你對唐王朝太重要了，所以我經過考慮之後，我不答應你申請退休的請求，但我會你休長假並且減少你的工作負擔。
最後，我還要公開嘉獎你，因為你的行為與選擇太正確了。你足以成為一個世代的楷模。」
這句成語直接翻譯的意思是一個世代的楷模。
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。
你是否可以清楚的分辨出生命最重要的東西嗎?當你享受到權力與金錢之後，你認為自己能夠不被慾望戰勝理性嗎?
我期待這故事能讓你產生一些新的收穫。
出處為舊唐書-卷67-李靖傳
https://zh.wikisource.org/zh-hant/%E8%88%8A%E5%94%90%E6%9B%B8/%E5%8D%B767