The cup is filled with water without
overflowing.(滿而不溢)
Historians divide the Han Dynasty era in
China into the Western Han Dynasty (202 BC – 8 AD) and the Eastern Han Dynasty
(25 AD – 220 AD).
A brief Xin Dynasty (9–23 AD) occurred
between these two dynasties.
The first emperor of the Eastern Han
dynasty was Liu Xiu.
Following the collapse of the Xin Dynasty,
China was divided. After many battles, Liu Xiu's army finally unified the
entire country in 36 AD.
History records a story about Liu Xiu.
In 25 AD, he declared the re-establishment
of the Han dynasty. To distinguish it from the original Han Dynasty, which was
founded by Liu Bang, historians refer to the dynasty established by Liu Xiu as the
Eastern Han Dynasty.
Liu Xiu was a highly skilled general and
wise leader. He understood that establishing and governing a kingdom required
different systems and mindsets. Adopting the strategies employed by Liu Bang,
the founder of the Western Han Dynasty, he enfeoffed many ministers and
generals who had made exceptional contributions to the establishment of the
Eastern Han Dynasty.
However, this order aroused the doubts of
some ministers. At a meeting, a minister named Ding Gong told Liu Xiu, 'We agree
with your decision to grant land to ministers who contributed to establishing
the kingdom. However, some ministers have received too much land. We believe
this will cause problems. They may form powerful factions due to the excessive
land and population they control, which could create a hidden danger and cause
the central government to lose control over them in the future.'
After hearing this, Liu Xiu smiled and
replied to Ding Gong.
Why did ancient Chinese kings lose control
over their ministers? Why did ministers with vast landholdings rebel against
their kings? Why did ancient Chinese kingdoms collapse?
I believe the main reason was that those
ancient kings were foolish and incompetent. They lacked the ability to
distinguish right from wrong, committing many unjust acts as a result.
Nevertheless, I commend you. The question
you raised is very valuable, so I will communicate with the ministers who
received land.
At the subsequent land distribution
ceremony, Liu Xiu publicly addressed the ministers in question:
'You must remember why you received these
rewards. After acquiring these powers, you must always be vigilant against
arrogance. If you do so, I guarantee that you will maintain your current
positions.
You must restrain your behaviour and strictly
abide by the kingdom's laws. The rewards I have given you are at their maximum.
Maintain a mindset where you are like a cup filled with water that does not
overflow.' Understand that if this cup of water overflows, you will suffer
immense damage.
You must remain respectful and cautious in
your loyalty to the Eastern Han Kingdom. Pass this warning on to your
descendants, and they will enjoy your present glory forever.
This idiom literally means a cup filled to
the brim without overflowing.
It is used to describe someone who knows
how to maintain boundaries and restraint in their conduct; someone who strikes
the right balance.
Dear friend, what inspiration or thoughts have
you gained from this story?
Have you ever suffered losses due to
excessive complacency? In which areas do you find it hard to exercise
restraint?
I hope this story will provide you with
some new insights.
滿而不溢(The cup is filled with water without
overflowing.)
中國的漢王朝時代，歷史學家將其分為西漢王朝(西元前202年-西元8年)與東漢王朝(西元25年-西元220年)。
這兩個王朝中間，夾帶著一個短暫的新王朝(西元9年-西元23年)。
東漢王朝的第一個國王名字叫做(劉秀)。
新王朝滅亡後，中國處於分裂的狀態，(劉秀)領導的軍隊經過許多戰役，最後終於在西元36年完成統一整個中國的偉大事業。
歷史書上記載了一個(劉秀)的故事。
西元25年，劉秀宣布重新建立漢王朝，歷史學家為了與劉邦所建立的漢王朝的區別，所以在統一稱呼劉秀建立的王朝是東漢王朝。
劉秀是一個非常擅長戰爭的將軍，他也是一個非常有智慧的領導者，他知道建立一個王國與管理一個王國需要兩套不同的制度與兩種不同的心態，他學習西漢王朝的創始者劉邦所採用過的策略，他將東漢王朝所掌握的土地分封給很多位對於建立東漢王朝有著特殊貢獻的大臣或將軍。
劉秀這個命令引起了部分大臣們的疑慮，在一場會議上，有一個名字叫做丁恭的大臣對劉秀說。
我們認同你將土地分封給那些對建立王國有功勞的大臣的決定，但是其中有些大臣所獲得的土地太多，我們認為這樣會有問題，這些大臣們可能會因為自己所能夠掌握的土地與人口太多而導致形成巨大的勢力，這可能會造成一個隱患，中央政府在未來失去對對這些大臣們的控制力。
劉秀聽完這些話後，他笑著對丁恭說。
中國古代那些國王為何失去對那些大臣們的控制力呢?中國古代的那些擁有巨量土地的大臣為何會反抗國王呢?中國古代的那些王國為何會傾覆呢?
我認為最主要原因是因為那些古代的國王頭腦糊塗且愚昧無能，那些國王缺乏明辨是非的能力，那些國王做出很多不正義的事情。
但是我還是要讚美你，我認為你提出的這個問題還是很有價值的，所以我會在之後採取一些行動去與這些得到土地的大臣們溝通。
劉秀在後來的分封土地的典禮上，他公開地對這些得到土地的大臣們說。
你們必須要記得你們為何得到這些賞賜，你們在擁有這些權力之後也要時刻警戒自己不能驕傲，如果你們這樣做，那麼我就會保證持續讓你們維持目前的地位。
你們必須要節制自己的行為並且謹守王國中的法律，我給你們的賞賜已經到達頂峰，你們應該讓自己保持一種狀態，你們必須像是一個杯子裝滿水而且沒有溢出來。你們要知道，如果這杯水溢出來之後，你們就將遭遇到極大的損害。
你們要保持恭敬謹慎的心態效忠我們東漢王國，你們要把這警界告訴你們的子孫，如果你們這樣做，你們的子孫們就能夠永遠享受你們現在的榮耀。
這句成語的意思直接翻譯的意思是一個杯子裝滿水而且沒有溢出來。
這句成語被用來形容一個人為人處事懂得保持界線與節制，這個人保持著一種剛剛好的狀態。
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。
你是否曾經因為太自滿而遭遇損失呢?你認為自己在那些事情上面比較不容易保持節制呢?
我期待這故事能讓你產生一些新的收穫。
出處為後漢書-卷1-光武帝紀上
https://zh.wikisource.org/wiki/%E5%BE%8C%E6%BC%A2%E6%9B%B8/%E5%8D%B71%E4%B8%8A