富有四海(They controlled all the wealth of
this ocean-surrounded continent.)
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。
我認為這個宇宙中、不論人間或是那些我們看不到的世界裡都遵循一條共通的法則，這條法則就是厭惡自滿與驕傲自大而喜歡謙虛與自我約束。
我們如果能夠記得這條法則而在平常的生活中做到謙虛與自我約束，那麼我們就可以避免很多的災禍與危害。
我們要記得，我們每天生活中穿衣服的最主要功用是為了我們遮蔽身體與抵禦寒冷，我們每天生活中吃東西的最主要原因是為了讓我們得以飽足與避免飢餓，我們做這兩件事情的最重要目的是要維持我們的生命。
我們在做這兩件事情的時候，應該要避免過度的奢侈與浪費，我們的身體與生命才是最寶貴與重要的，衣服與食物都應該盡量保持簡單與樸素。
我們回顧歷史，周王朝的(姬滿)與秦王朝的(嬴政)與漢王朝的(劉徹)，這三位偉大的統治者，他們控制了這塊四面被海洋包圍的大陸上的所有財富，他們掌握了極大的權力，但是根據歷史書的記載，這些統治者最後都因為不知道節制與過於自滿，所以在他們的帶領之下國家從極度強盛變成快速衰亡。
我們應該以這些人的故事為教訓。
根據我的看法，以一個二十口人的家庭來說，假設這個家庭的經濟非常的富裕，這個家庭中的奴婢也不應超過二十人，這個家庭中所擁有的田產也不應該超過32萬平方公尺，這個家庭所居住的房屋能夠遮風擋雨就夠了，這個家庭所擁有的馬車與馬匹的數量應該能夠代步行走就夠了，這個家庭所積蓄的錢財數量應該保持克制，只要錢財足夠用來婚喪喜慶和應付緊急狀況就夠了。
若一個家庭中有太多的錢，那麼這些錢應該要大方的捐獻出去，應該把這些錢拿去幫助那些有需要的人們超過這個標準的。
假設一個家庭中沒有那麼多錢，這個家庭中的人要記得，應該用合法合理的方式去賺錢，不要用那些不正當的手段去取得金錢。
這句成語直接翻譯的意思是他們控制了這塊四面被海洋包圍的大陸上的所有財富。
這句成語被用來形容一個人非常的有錢。
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。
你有儲蓄的習慣嗎?你是否看重外在的物質勝過自己的身體呢?
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-止足篇
https://zh.wikisource.org/wiki/%E9%A1%8F%E6%B0%8F%E5%AE%B6%E8%A8%93/%E5%8D%B7%E7%AC%AC5
They controlled all the wealth of this
ocean-surrounded continent.(富有四海)
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 research. 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.
In the book, he wrote the following
passage:
'I believe that this universe, whether on
Earth or in the unseen worlds, is governed by a universal law: an aversion to
complacency and arrogance, and an affinity for humility and self-discipline.'
If we can remember this principle and
practise humility and self-discipline in our daily lives, we can avoid many
disasters and harms.'
We must remember that clothing's primary
function in our daily lives is to cover our bodies and protect us from the
cold, and that the primary reason we eat is to satisfy our hunger and prevent
starvation. The most important purpose of these two things is to sustain our
lives.
When doing these two things, we should
avoid excessive extravagance and waste. Our bodies and lives are the most
precious things we have; clothing and food should therefore be kept as simple
and plain as possible.
Looking back at history, the three great
rulers of the Zhou (Ji Man), Qin (Ying Zheng) and Han (Liu Che) dynasties
controlled all the wealth of the continent surrounded by sea. Although they
wielded immense power, according to the history books, they ultimately failed
due to a lack of restraint and excessive complacency, causing their countries
to decline rapidly from extreme prosperity under their leadership.
We should learn from the stories of these
people.
In my opinion, a family of twenty should
not have more than twenty servants, even if they are very wealthy, and they
should not own more than 320,000 square metres of land.
Their house should provide only adequate
shelter from the wind and rain, and they should only own enough carriages and
horses for walking. They should keep their wealth prudent, with just enough for
weddings, funerals, celebrations and emergencies.
If a family has more money than this, it
should be generously donated to help those in need.
If a family doesn't have much money, its
members should earn it legally and ethically rather than through illegitimate
means.
This idiom literally translates as 'They
control all the wealth of this ocean-surrounded continent.'
It is used to describe someone who is
extremely wealthy.
Dear friend, what inspiration or thoughts
did you gain from this story?
Do you have a habit of saving? Do you value
material possessions more than your health?
I hope this story gives you some new
insights.