多事之秋(Recently, our country has experienced
a series of accidents.)
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，其意見的後半段大概內容如下。
那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。
因為國家長期處於穩定和平的狀態，這些繼承父親職位的人們也養成了安逸怠惰的心態，他們每天享樂，他們普遍都沒有進取與學習的心。
最近這段期間，我們國家中接連發生許多事故。
針對最近這種動盪的情況，我們國家目前正在進行一項甄選，要藉由這項甄選挑選出合適的帶兵打仗的軍事方面的年輕的人才，據我所知，很多公爵、侯爵等等的家庭中，也有很多年輕人想要參加這項甄選。
我們為了避免那些不勝任的人透過特權然後通過這項甄選，我們應該要調查清楚這些參加考試的人的背景，如果這些參加甄選的人是某個將軍或者大臣的後代，我們要確認他們是否有相關專業知識與能力，如果沒有相關的專業知識與能力的，我們就不能讓他們通過甄選。
那些有能力且有專業知識的人，在他們通過甄選之後，我們也要針對這些人的專業知識與道德水平還有人際關係進行更深入的教育，同時也要針對這些人的體能與騎馬打仗等專業知識進行更進一步的訓練。
我認為我們只有這樣做，才能夠有效地幫國家找出真正好的人才。
這句成語直接翻譯的意思是最近這段期間，我們國家中接連發生許多事故。。
這句成語後來延伸用來形容一個人或一個組織或團體正面臨一種連續發生很多事變、事故或麻煩的時期。
這句成語也被延伸用來形容一種局勢動盪不安且令人憂心的狀態。
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。
你的國家有公家舉辦的甄選嗎?你認為這些甄選制度與規則公平嗎?
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
Recently, our country has experienced a
series of accidents.(多事之秋)
During the Ming dynasty in China, there was
a famous minister named Jiang Yuan (1400–1473). He was a very upright person.
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 latter part of his opinion is roughly as follows:
'Only a very small number of those who
inherit their fathers' positions are intelligent and hard-working; most are
lazy and foolish. I believe this is a very serious and widespread phenomenon
within the central government.'
'Because the country has enjoyed long-term
stability and peace, those who inherit their fathers' positions have developed
a complacent and lazy mentality. They enjoy themselves every day and generally
lack ambition and a desire to learn.'
Recently, our country has experienced a
series of accidents.
In response to the recent turmoil, the
country is conducting a selection process to identify young military talent for
leadership and combat roles. As far as I know, many young men from noble
families, such as dukes and marquesses, are also eager to participate.
To prevent unqualified individuals from
passing the selection process through privilege, we must thoroughly investigate
the backgrounds of all candidates. If a candidate is the descendant of a
general or minister, we must verify their relevant professional knowledge and
abilities. Those lacking such knowledge and abilities should not be permitted
to pass the selection process.
Those who demonstrate both ability and
professional knowledge will receive further in-depth training focusing on their
professional knowledge, moral character and interpersonal skills after passing
the selection process. They will also undergo further training in physical
fitness, horsemanship and combat techniques.
I believe that the only way to effectively
identify individuals who are truly capable of serving the country is to do
this.
This idiom translates as 'Recently, our
country has experienced a series of accidents.'
Since then, it has been extended to
describe a period in which an individual, organisation or group is facing a
series of events, accidents or troubles.
It can also be used to describe a turbulent
and worrying situation.
Dear friend, what insights or thoughts have
you gained from this story?
Does your country have publicly organised
selection processes? Do you think that these selection systems and rules are
fair?
I hope this story gives you some new
insights.