才輕任重(My abilities are meager, but the
responsibility I must bear is immense.)
中國東晉王朝有一個著名的將軍，他的名字是陶侃(西元259-西元334)，歷史書上記載過一個關於他的故事。
他是一個又忠誠又有戰鬥力的將軍，中央政府內有些比較喜歡玩弄權術的大臣不喜歡他，這些大臣排擠他並且在國王面前說他的壞話，所以他的職位被頻繁地調動，他還曾經被調任到當時東晉王朝最南邊的廣州市。
西元324年，東晉王朝內掌握最大軍事力量的一個名字叫做王敦帶領他的軍隊發動叛變，在王敦發動叛變不久後，他突然生病而且病死。王敦死了之後，他所帶領的那支軍隊失去了領導者，所有的人立刻宣布投降，這場叛變很快地就結束了。
由於王敦生前所駐軍的武昌市是長江中游最重要的交通樞紐，而且具有極高的戰略價值，這個地方需要一個非常有經驗的人來管理，東晉王朝的第二任國王是一個非常有遠見的人，他指定陶侃駐守在武昌市並且負責管理駐紮在武昌市的軍隊，陶侃成為當時擁有最強大的武力的將軍。
西元327年，東晉王朝兩個在地方政府中掌握著屬於自己的軍隊的將軍聯合起來發動叛變，這兩個將軍一個名字叫做蘇峻另一個名字叫做祖約。
這隻叛亂的軍隊的戰力非常的強大，西元328年，叛軍攻佔了首都建康市，皇宮被大火燒毀，蘇峻與祖約沒有殺害年紀只有8歲的國王，但是中央政府的實際控制權全落入他們兩個人的手中。
這場叛亂發生之後，有一個名字叫做溫嶠的大臣立刻召集了東晉王朝地方上許多有軍事實力且效忠於晉王朝的將軍，溫嶠與這些將軍們舉開了一場會議，並且與這些將軍們達成共識，他們要組成一支聯合軍隊去對抗由蘇峻與祖約所領導的叛軍。
陶侃是一個很宏觀眼光的人，他知道武昌市的重要性在於這個地方是防備北方的後趙王國南下侵略的重要的關口，所以主力軍隊不應該隨便調動。
加上自從東晉王朝第二任國王病死後，中央政府中現任的當權者對他非常的不信任，所以他的內心感到不開心，因此他沒有表現出很積極要對抗叛軍的意思，
溫嶠覺察到陶侃的想法，他私底下又特別寫了一封信給陶侃，在他的信中，有這樣一段話。
我們上次的會議中，所有將軍都已經達成共識要共同對抗叛軍，我們現在就等你控制的那支主力軍隊到達。
現在晉王朝正陷入巨大的危機，我跟你一樣對晉王朝非常的忠誠，所以我主動召集所有的將軍們一起組成聯軍。
我的才能很輕微但是我必須承擔的責任很重大，我的聲望無法領導這支聯軍，
我一個人無法完成這項艱鉅的任務，這支聯軍的總領導我認為你是最適合的人選，我希望你能夠下定決心，領導我們一起打敗叛軍並且重新奪回我們的首都。
這句成語的直接翻譯的意思是我的才能很輕微但是我必須承擔的責任很重大。
這句成語被用來形容一個人很謙虛地說自己的能力不夠所以無法承擔很重大的責任。
親愛的朋友，你聽完這個故事有怎樣的感受或有怎樣的想法呢。
你如果是陶侃，你會讓自己的個人感受影響到你做出的判斷嗎?假設這支聯軍可以成功打敗叛軍，你認為最有功勞的人會是誰呢?
我希望這故事能讓你產生一些新的收穫。
出處為晉書-卷67-溫嶠傳
https://zh.wikisource.org/wiki/%E6%99%89%E6%9B%B8/%E5%8D%B7067
My abilities are meager, but the
responsibility I must bear is immense. (才輕任重)
There was a famous general in the Eastern
Jin dynasty of China named Tao Kan (259–334 AD). History books tell a story
about him.
He was a loyal and capable general.
However, some power-hungry ministers in the central government disliked him.
They ostracized him and spoke ill of him to the king, resulting in him being
transferred frequently. He was even transferred to Guangzhou, which was the
southernmost city of the Eastern Jin dynasty at the time.
In 324 AD, Wang Dun, who commanded the
largest military force in the Eastern Jin dynasty, led his army in a rebellion.
Shortly afterwards, Wang Dun suddenly fell ill and died. Without a leader, his
army immediately surrendered, quickly ending the rebellion.
Wuchang, where Wang Dun had stationed his
troops, was a crucial transportation hub in the middle reaches of the Yangtze
River and possessed immense strategic value. It therefore required a highly
experienced administrator. The second king of the Eastern Jin dynasty, a man of
great foresight, appointed Tao Kan to garrison Wuchang and oversee the troops
stationed there. Tao Kan became a general with formidable military power.
In 327 AD, two generals of the Eastern Jin
dynasty, Su Jun and Zu Yue, who commanded their own armies within the local
government, launched a rebellion.
This rebellious army was extremely
powerful. In 328 AD, they captured the capital, Jiankang, burning down the
imperial palace in the process. Although Su Jun and Zu Yue did not kill the
eight-year-old third king, they seized control of the central government.
After the rebellion, a minister named Wen
Qiao immediately convened a meeting of generals capable of leading the army and
loyal to the Eastern Jin Dynasty. He and the generals agreed to form a united
army to combat the rebels led by Su Jun and Zu Yue.
Tao Kan, a man of strategic vision,
recognised the importance of Wuchang as a vital defence against invasions from
the Northern Zhao Kingdom. Therefore, he was cautious about mobilising his main
force.
Furthermore, the current central government
distrusted him following the death of the second Eastern Jin emperor, causing
him discontent. Consequently, he was not very enthusiastic about fighting the
rebels.
Sensing Tao Kan's thoughts, Wen Qiao
privately wrote him a letter containing the following:
'In our last meeting, all the generals
reached a consensus to unite against the rebels. We now await the arrival of
the main force under your command.'
The Jin Dynasty is currently facing a great
crisis. Like you, I am extremely loyal to the dynasty, so I have taken the
initiative of gathering all the generals to form a coalition army.
My abilities are meagre, but the
responsibility I must bear is immense. My prestige is insufficient to lead this
coalition army.
I cannot accomplish this arduous task
alone. I believe that you are the most suitable candidate to lead this army. I
hope you will decide to lead us in defeating the rebels and retaking our
capital.
The literal translation of this idiom is:
'My abilities are meagre, but the responsibility I must bear is immense.'
It is used to describe someone humbly
admitting that they lack the ability to shoulder a heavy responsibility.
Dear friend, what are your thoughts or
feelings after hearing this story?
If you were Tao Kan, would you let your
personal feelings influence your judgement?
Assuming the coalition army successfully
defeats the rebels, who do you think deserves the most credit?
I hope this story has given you some new
insights.