Able to bend and straighten.(能屈能伸)
Confucius's real name was Kong Qiu. 'Kong
Fuzi' is the respectful title given to him by others.
He was an exceptional teacher. He is one of
the most influential thinkers in Chinese history.
He had over 3,000 students, 72 of whom were
particularly outstanding. Historical records document stories about some of his
disciples.
Each of Confucius's students had their own
strengths: some were of excellent character, some were eloquent, some were
highly capable and some were well-suited to focused academic study.
One of these students was named Zhong You.
He was strong-willed, upright and very brave, as well as being physically strong.
To defend his beliefs and principles, he dared to confront others directly.
One day, Zhong You asked Confucius:
'I have heard this saying:
'A person of principle, ambition and
integrity is willing to humble themselves for their future and ideals, even in
poverty.'
When wealthy, a principled, ambitious and
upright person will demand of themselves that they do things that benefit
society and others.'
Do you agree with this statement?'
Confucius smiled and answered after hearing
the question.
I believe that a person with the noble
character you described who thoroughly understands themselves and their most
important values and life pursuits truly possesses the personality trait of
being able to bend and straighten.
When life is difficult, such a person will
become flexible and yielding, suppressing their grievances while waiting for an
opportunity. However, they will not lose their integrity in order to obtain
such an opportunity during a low point.
When life is prosperous, such a person will
become strong and upright, giving their all when opportunity knocks. However,
they will not act immorally or without restraint during their peak.
This idiom literally translates as 'able to
bend and straighten'.
This idiom is used to describe someone who
can restrain themselves, endure hardship and achieve their goals.
Dear friend, what inspiration or insights
did you gain from this story?
How do you behave during the low points in
your life? What do you remind yourself of during high points?
I hope this story brings you some new
insights.
能屈能伸(Able to bend and straighten.)
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之間的一些故事。
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仲由，他的個性又剛強又正直，他非常的勇敢而且身體強壯，他為了捍衛自己的理念與原則，他敢跟別人起正面衝突。
有一天，仲由問孔子。
我聽過這樣一種說法。
一個有原則、有志氣、有節操的人在貧窮的時候，他能夠為了自己的未來與理想願意低下頭來。
一個有原則、有志氣、有節操的人在富有的時候，他能夠要求自己做出對社會與對他人都有助益的事。
你認同這種說法嗎?
孔子聽完這個問題後微笑著回答。
我認為像你說的這種具備高貴的人格的人，他如果能夠透徹的了解與認識自己，他如果能夠明確的知道自己的人生中最重要的價值與追求，那麼這個人就的確會有這種可以彎曲也可以伸直的人格特質。
這種人在生活很不順利的時候，他會讓自己變得柔軟且彎曲，他委屈自己因為他在等待機會，但他不會在低潮的時候為了取得一個機會而失去自己的節操。
這種人在生活很順利的時候，他會讓自己變得剛強且伸直，在機會來臨時他盡全力的表現自己，但他不會在高峰的時候讓自己沒有節制地做出違背道義的事。
這句成語直接翻譯的意思是能夠彎曲也能夠伸直。
這句成語被引申用來形容一個人失意時能克制忍耐，這個人在得意時能施展抱負。
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。
你在人生的低潮時會有怎樣的行為表現呢?你在人生的高峰時會記得提醒自己那些事情呢?
我期待這故事能讓你產生一些新的收穫。
出處為孔子家語-卷8-屈節解37
https://zh.wikisource.org/wiki/%E5%AD%94%E5%AD%90%E5%AE%B6%E8%AA%9E/%E5%8D%B7%E5%85%AB