一籌莫展(Cannot even offer a solution.)
中國的明王朝有一個著名的大臣，他的名字叫做江淵(西元1400-西元1473)。他的個性很正直。
他曾經觀察到一個當時中央政府中的不好的現象，他知道他提出這個意見後會損害到其他的一些大臣的權益，但是他還是勇敢的提出來。
他的意見的第一段的大概內容如下。
我們國家中有一個很好的傳統，我們認為道德是最重要的，我們制訂了一套完整的制度來獎勵那些對國家有貢獻的人並且獎賞這些人。
我們國家成立以來，有過非常多對國家有功勞的人，其中有些人對國家的貢獻非常的大，這些人在生前就受到國家豐厚的獎勵，在這些人死後，這些人的後代繼承他們的父親生前的職位，這些人的子孫們在毫無經驗的情況下，就能夠擔任中央政府內的非常重要的職務。
這些人的子孫們生長在他們的父親的照顧之下，這些人從一出生就生活在一個經濟情況很好與社會地位很高的環境中，這些人從出生之後就沒有感受過貧困與痛苦的滋味，這些人都吃不了苦。
根據我的觀察，這些繼承父親的職位的人中只有極少數有智慧且勤奮，大多數都非常懶惰與愚笨，我認為這是一個已經普遍存在中央政府內的一種很嚴重的現象，這些人平日就養成了驕傲與懶惰的習慣，他們從來不學習也沒有專業的知識，所以當國家把重大任務交給這些人時，這些人就會非常的驚恐且慌張，他們的能力無法處理這種複雜的情況，他們連一個解決辦法都提不出來。
這句成語直接翻譯的意思是連一個解決辦法都提不出來。
這句成語後來衍伸形容一個人對一個問題或一個狀態提不出任何的對應的解決辦法。
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。
你如果是江淵，你會提出這個會傷害你與同僚感情的建議書嗎?你身邊是否有種能力很差但因為其家族的原因擔任重要的職務的人呢?
我期待這故事能讓你產生一些新的收穫。
出處為于忠肅公集-卷1-覆教習功臣子孫疏
https://ctext.org/wiki.pl?if=gb&chapter=427939
出處為皇明經世文編卷之三十四-覆教習功臣子孫疏
http://www.guoxue123.com/jijijibu/0201/00hmjswp/040.htm
Cannot even offer a solution.(一籌莫展)
During the Ming dynasty in China, there was
a famous minister named Jiang Yuan (1400–1473). He was a man of great
integrity.
He observed a negative phenomenon within
the central government at the time. Although he knew that raising this issue
would harm the interests of other ministers, he still bravely voiced his
opinion.
The first paragraph of his opinion stated
the following:
'Our country has a fine tradition of
considering morality to be of paramount importance. We have established a
comprehensive system to reward those who contribute to the country. Since our
nation's foundation, many individuals have rendered meritorious service. Some
of these individuals made extremely significant contributions. During their
lifetimes, they received generous rewards from the state. After their deaths,
their children inherited their positions, enabling them to assume important
roles within the central government despite having no prior experience.
These people's descendants grew up under
their fathers' care. From birth, they lived in an environment of great economic
prosperity and high social status. They had never experienced poverty or
hardship and were unable to endure suffering.
From what I have observed, only a very
small proportion of those who inherited their fathers' positions were
intelligent and hard-working; most were extremely lazy and foolish. I believe
this is a serious and widespread phenomenon within the central government.
These people have cultivated habits of pride and laziness. They never study and
lack professional knowledge. Consequently, when the country entrusts them with
important tasks, they become extremely fearful and panicked. They are unable to
handle such complex situations and cannot even offer a solution.
This idiom literally means 'Cannot even
offer a solution.'
This idiom later evolved to describe
someone who cannot offer a solution to a problem or situation.
Dear friend, what insights or thoughts have
you gained from this story?
If you were Jiang Yuan, would you make a
suggestion that would damage your relationship with your colleagues? Do you
know anyone who is incompetent yet holds an important position thanks to their
family background?
I hope this story gives you some new insights.