意中人(Someone you miss and like)
中國的晉王朝時代，有一個著名的文學家與詩人，他的名字叫做陶淵明(西元365年-西元427)。
他對於人生的追求與他所寫的詩與散文影響了中國歷史上許多著名的詩人與文學家。歷史書上記載了一個他的故事。
他生活的年代是在晉王朝的末年，那是一個混亂的年代，他在20幾歲的時候，他希望可以藉由自已的知識去改變社會，讓社會變得更好，所以他進入中央政府擔任一個中階官員。
由於當時的政治局勢不穩定，中央政府內的許多官員各自組成小集團，這些小集團把心力放在彼此鬥爭而非放在如何讓所有人民變得更好。
他是一些正直又很忠誠的人，他觀察到這現象之後，而且他發現自已無法改變，所以他很失望，所以他選擇辭職。
他在40幾歲的時候，他由於家境太過貧窮，他再次進入中央政府擔任一個中階官員，他擔任彭澤這地方的縣長，他沒想到，他40幾歲時的政治風氣比他在20多歲進入中央政府時更壞，很多只會逢迎拍馬但是工作能力很差的人成為中央政府內的高級官員。他這個工作只做了80幾天。
他辭職後回到他的家鄉成為一個農夫，他過著簡單但貧苦的生活，但他的內心感到很快樂。。
他在回到故鄉後，他曾經寫過一封信給他的三個好朋友，這封信中有一首詩的大概內容如下。
我最近生病了，我現在正躺在我家的那個破爛的屋檐下，我今天的心情感覺很不好。
我剛吃完我所熬煮的中藥，我現在有點空閒，我想起你們這幾個我一直在心中掛念的好朋友們。
我很想見到你們，但你們現在這的地方離我非常的遠，我們沒有辦法相見。
我聽說你們三個人現在正在一座大城市中當老師，你們正在傳授你們所精通的有關於儒家的知識。
自從孔子死後到現在已經將近一千年了，人們的道德愈來愈敗壞，，在這種環境之下你們學習並講解然後傳播這些儒家的學問一定感到非常辛苦吧。
我現在過著自己喜歡的生活，我好希望你們成為我的鄰居跟我一起享受這種塊簡單快樂的生活。
如果你們願意，那麼你可以帶著你的學生們一起到我所住的這個地方來找我，我會很開心的接待你們。
這句成語直接翻譯的意思是我一直在心中掛念的好朋友們。
這句成語的原本意思現在已經沒有人在使用，這句成語目前被用來形容一個放在自己心中所掛念的喜歡的人。
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。
你認為你生活的社會的道德水平如何呢?你有沒有想見但很久不見的好朋友呢?
我希望這故事能讓你產生一些新的收穫。
出處為南史-卷75-陶潛傳
https://zh.m.wikisource.org/zh-hant/%E5%8D%97%E5%8F%B2/%E5%8D%B775
出處為陶淵明-示周續之祖企謝景夷三郎
Someone you miss and like(意中人)
During the Jin dynasty in China, there was
a famous writer and poet named Tao Yuanming (365–427 AD).
His approach to life, as well as his poetry
and prose, influenced many renowned poets and writers throughout Chinese
history. History books tell his story.
He lived at the end of the Jin dynasty, a
chaotic era. In his early twenties, he hoped to use his knowledge to improve
society, so he joined the central government as a mid-level official.
However, due to the unstable political
situation at the time, many officials in the central government formed small
cliques and focused their energy on fighting rather than improving the lives of
the people.
He was an upright and loyal man.
Disappointed by this phenomenon and realizing he could not change it, he
resigned.
In his forties, he re-entered the central
government as a mid-level official due to extreme poverty, serving as the
county magistrate of Pengze. He was surprised to find that the political
climate was worse than when he had previously worked for the government; many
incompetent sycophants had risen to high positions. He only held this position
for a little over 80 days.
After resigning, he returned to his
hometown, became a farmer and lived a simple but impoverished life, finding
happiness within himself.
Upon returning home, he wrote a letter to
three close friends which included a poem, the gist of which is as follows:
'I've recently fallen ill and am lying
under the eaves of my dilapidated house. I feel very unwell today.
I've just finished my herbal medicine and
now have some free time. I'm thinking of you, my dear friends, whom I always
think of.
I long to see you, but you are so far away
and we cannot meet.'
I heard that you three are now teachers in
a big city, sharing your knowledge of Confucianism.
Almost a thousand years have passed since
Confucius died, and people's morality has declined. In this environment, it
must be very difficult for you to learn, explain and spread Confucianism.
I am now living the life I love, and I wish
you could be my neighbours and share this simple, happy life with me.
If you would like to, you can bring your
students to visit me. I would be very happy to welcome you.
This idiom literally translates as 'my dear
friends, whom I always think of'.
The original meaning of this idiom is no
longer used; now, it is used to describe someone you miss and like.
Dear friend, what are your thoughts or feelings after hearing this story?
What do you think of the morality of the society you live in? Are there any good friends you've missed and not seen in a long time?
I hope this story gives you some new insights.