飯囊酒甕(Leather bags used to hold food and
earthenware jars used to hold wine.)
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。
中國的晉王朝結束之後，中國陷入一段長時間的混亂狀態，這段時代被歷史學家稱為南北王朝時代。
西元439年到西元581年，這段期間內中國的北方更換了五個王朝。這五個王朝的名字依序是北魏王朝、東魏王朝、西魏王朝、北齊王朝和北周王朝。
西元420年到西元589年，這段期間內中國的南方更換了四個王朝，這四個王朝的名字依序是劉宋王朝、南齊王朝、南梁王朝與南陳王朝。
在南北王朝時代，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。
我們必須嚴肅看待一個國家的興亡與一場戰爭的勝敗，如果我們有足夠的學問與知識在國家制定重大的決策時能夠有機會參與討論，那麼我們就要用心地去規劃與提供我們的意見。
我看到有些人，他們擔任政府的重要參謀，他們沒有用心地去協助國王制定政策與作決定，我認為，這些人是沒有品德的學者，他們的行為讓我感到不齒。
我還看到有些知識分子，他們念過了一些兵法書之後，他們就覺得自已是一個很有謀略的人。
在國家平順安定的時候，這些人為了謀求自己的利益，他們會利用政府之間的人們之間的矛盾來藉機挑撥，有些更過分的人甚至會主導叛亂的行動，我親眼看過好多平常百姓因為這些人的行為被連累受害。
在國家動亂的時候，這些人的心態更是可惡，他們到處煽動對立的情緒，他們說話反覆，他們為了達成自己的政治目的採取欺騙的手段，他們支持那些發動叛變的人去反抗政府，他們完全不考慮整個國家，他們的心中只想到自己的利益。
這些人的行為與心態我認為是極度不可取的，這些人的人生結局通常很慘有些行為極度嚴重的人甚至會導致他們的家族的滅亡。
我告訴你們這些人的故事，我希望你們要警惕自己，要以他們的例子為戒。
一個真正的武官，應該要學習使用各種兵器與各種不同的戰鬥技巧，現在有很多官員，他們沒有很深厚的學識背景，他們也沒有成為一個真正武官所具備的條件，如果要我形容這些人，我會說這些人就像是被用來裝飯的皮囊與裝酒的陶甕一樣，他們只會吃飯與喝酒，他們是一群沒有價值的人。
這句成語直接翻譯的意思是被用來裝飯的皮囊與裝酒的陶甕。
這句成語目前被用來形容一個人只會吃飯與喝酒，這個人是一個沒有價值的人。
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。
你是否有特殊的別人沒有的專長嗎?你認為自己是否是一個有著獨特價值的人呢?
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－誡兵篇
https://zh.wikisource.org/wiki/%E9%A1%8F%E6%B0%8F%E5%AE%B6%E8%A8%93/%E5%8D%B7%E7%AC%AC5
Leather bags used to hold food and
earthenware jars used to hold wine.(飯囊酒甕)
This blog was originally intended as an
introduction to Chinese culture for international friends. Therefore, for
simplicity and ease of understanding, traditional titles such as 'emperor' and
'king' are simplified to 'king', and the rulers' names are used directly
wherever possible. This is for the convenience of translation, not for the sake
of historical accuracy. If you wish to consult more rigorous historical
materials, please refer to the sources listed at the end of the article.
Following the end of the Jin dynasty, China
descended into a prolonged period of chaos known to historians as the Northern
and Southern Dynasties period.
From 439 to 581 AD, five dynasties rose and
fell in northern China. In order, these five dynasties are the Northern Wei,
Eastern Wei, Western Wei, Northern Qi and Northern Zhou.
From 420 to 589 AD, four dynasties rose and
fell in southern China. These four dynasties, in order, are the Liu Song,
Southern Qi, Southern Liang and Southern Chen.
During this period, 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 loved and disseminated, and
many of its ideas still influence Chinese people today.
In the book, he wrote the following
passage:
'We must take the rise and fall of a
nation, and the victory or defeat of a war, seriously. If we have the knowledge
and learning to contribute to discussions about important national decisions,
we should plan diligently and offer our opinions.
I have seen people in important advisory
roles within the government who do not assist the king diligently in
formulating policies and making decisions. I believe these people are dishonest
scholars, and I find their behaviour disgusting.
I have also seen some intellectuals who,
after reading a few books on military strategy, consider themselves to be
expert strategists.
When the country is peaceful and stable,
these people exploit conflicts between governments and individuals to further
their own interests. Some even go so far as to incite rebellions. I have
personally witnessed many ordinary people suffer because of their actions.
Their mentality is even more despicable
when the country is in turmoil. They incite conflict everywhere, speak
ambiguously and use deception to achieve their political goals. They support
those who incite rebellions against the government, disregarding the nation's
interests completely; they are solely focused on their own interests.
I believe that the behaviour and mentality
of these people is extremely unacceptable. Their lives often end tragically,
and sometimes their actions can lead to the destruction of their entire
families.
I am telling you these people's stories so
that you will be wary and learn from their examples.
A true military officer should be
proficient in the use of various weapons and combat techniques. Unfortunately,
many officials today lack the academic background and qualifications necessary
to become true military officers. If I were to describe these people, I would
say that they are like leather bags used to hold food and earthenware jars used
to hold wine: they only know how to eat and drink, and they are worthless.
This idiom literally translates as 'Leather
bags used to hold food and earthenware jars used to hold wine'.
It is currently used to describe someone
who only knows how to eat and drink, and is therefore considered worthless.
Dear friend,What inspiration or insights
have you gained from this story?
Do you possess any unique skills? Do you consider
yourself to be a person of unique value?
I hope this story provides you with some
new insights.