低頭塞耳(Bowing his head and covering his
ears.)
本部落格寫作緣起，原是為了向國際友人介紹中華文化。因此行文中，為求簡明易懂，例如將皇帝、王等傳統頭銜，統一簡化為國王，並盡量直稱其名。此為譯介之便，非為考據之疏。若您欲查閱嚴謹史料，請以文末所附典籍出處為準。
中國的南北王朝時代，有一個著名的大臣與文學家，他的名字是顏之推。
他寫了一本書分享自己的人生經驗給他的孩子，他所寫的這本書被大家所喜愛與傳播，這本書其中的許多內容至今為止仍然深刻地影響著許多中國人。
他在這本書中寫過一段話如下。
我們有怎樣的身分就應該做怎樣的事，舉例來說，中央政府中，有一個很重要的職位，在這個職位上的大臣，他必須要針對國王做得不好的地方向國王提出他的諍言，國王希望藉由這個人來看到自己的過失。
這個大臣既然在這個職位上，那麼他就應該盡到自己的責任，他的責任是要輔助國王把整個國家治理的更好，所以他不應該害怕自己因為提出諍言而遭到國王的惱怒，當他看到國王的過失時，他不應該低著頭然後用手指把耳朵塞住，他不應該保持沉默。
中央政府中，還有很多的職位，這些職位的功能是要服務國王，讓國王的生活起居可以感到快活，這些人應該把心思放在如何把自己的工作做好，而不是向國王提出諍言，有些人因為不懂得不屬於自己的責任範圍的事情自己就不應該插手，所以這些人讓自己因為國王的憤怒而被刑罰。
禮記這本儒家的經典書籍中有一段話。
一位與國主關係很疏遠的大臣，如果這個大臣跳脫自己的職位的責任去向國王提出他的建言，那麼這個大臣的動機可能很不單純，這個人可能想要藉著這個方式來表現自己並引起國王的注意。
一個與國王關係很親近的大臣，如果這個大臣沒有盡到自己的責任向國王提出他的諍言，那麼這個大臣是嚴重得失職，這個人保持沉默，因為它們貪戀自己現在優渥的俸祿與他們想要鞏固自己的官職。
孔夫子的論語這本書中也有一句話，這句話也是同樣提醒我們要保持人與人之間的分寸，這句話的意思如下。
如果你在還沒有取得別人的信任前就主動向別人提出自己的諍言，那麼別人會覺得你在找他麻煩。
這句成語直接翻譯的意思是他低著頭然後用手指把耳朵塞住。
這句成語被用來形容一個人在遇到一件事情時表現出一種逃避與不積極面對的態度。
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。
你現在的職位的主要責任為何嗎?你是否有專注在自己該做的事情上面呢?
我期待這故事能讓你產生一些新的收穫。
出處為顏之推-顏氏家訓-卷5－省事篇
https://zh.wikisource.org/wiki/%E9%A1%8F%E6%B0%8F%E5%AE%B6%E8%A8%93/%E5%8D%B7%E7%AC%AC5
Bowing his head and covering his ears.(低頭塞耳)
This blog was originally created to
introduce Chinese culture to international friends. For the sake of simplicity
and ease of understanding, traditional titles such as 'Emperor' and 'King' have
been simplified, and names are used as directly as possible. This is for the convenience
of translation, not historical accuracy. If you wish to consult more rigorous
historical materials, please refer to the sources listed at the end of the
article.
During the Northern and Southern Dynasties
period in China, there was a famous minister and writer named Yan Zhitui.
He wrote a book in which he shared his life
experiences with his children. This book was widely read and circulated, and
many of its ideas still influence Chinese people today.
He wrote the following passage in the book:
'We should do what is appropriate for our
status.' For example, in the central government, there is a very important
position. The minister in this position must point out the king's shortcomings
to him, so that he can see his own faults through this person.
Since this minister holds this position, he
must fulfil his responsibilities. His duty is to help the king govern the
country more effectively. Therefore, he should not fear incurring the king's
wrath by offering honest advice. When he identifies the king's shortcomings, he
must speak up rather than bowing his head and covering his ears.
Within the central government, there are
many other roles whose purpose is to serve the king and ensure his comfort.
These people should focus on doing their jobs well rather than offering the
king honest advice. Some people, failing to understand that they should not
interfere in matters outside their responsibilities, end up being punished for
provoking the king's anger.
There is a relevant passage in the
Confucian classic The Book of Rites:
'If a minister with a distant relationship
to the king oversteps his official duties to offer advice, then his motives may
be impure.' They may want to use this method to show off and attract the king's
attention.
Conversely, a minister close to the king
would be derelict in his duty if he failed to offer his honest advice. However,
he remained silent because he coveted his generous salary and wanted to
consolidate his position.
The Analects of Confucius also contains a
similar reminder to maintain appropriate boundaries in interpersonal
relationships. It says:
'If you offer your honest advice before
gaining someone's trust, they will think you are causing trouble.'
The idiom literally translates as ' Bowing his head and covering his ears'.
It describes someone who exhibits an
evasive and uncooperative attitude when faced with a problem.
Dear friend, what inspiration or thoughts
did you gain from this story?
What are the main responsibilities of your current position? Are you focused on your duties?
I hope this story gives you
some new insights.