毒蛇猛獸(Venomous Snakes and Ferocious Beasts)
中國的明王朝有一個著名的小說家與劇作家，他的名字叫做馮夢龍(西元1574-西元1646)，他寫過許多本短篇故事集。
他曾經以北宋王朝一個非常著名的名人為主角創造了一個虛構的故事，這個名人的名字叫做蘇軾(西元1037-西元1101)。
這個故事的一開頭有一段引言，引言中，他引用了一段佛教的經典語句，這段經典語句如下。
你可以很有力量，但你在攻擊對手的時候不要使出全力，你要保留實力。
你可以很有福氣，但你在享受福氣的時候不要過度透支，你要保留空間。
你可以謀取私利，但你在賺取利潤的時候不要損害他人，你要考慮別人。
你可以非常聰明，但你在計畫事情的時候不要過於自信，你要保持彈性。
這四句話中，我先來解釋第一句。
我們可以看看我們周圍的人們，有很多人有著極大的權力與勢力，這些人往往非常的任性且驕傲，他們沒有道德，他們做很多傷害別人又對自己沒有好處的事情，他們就像是有毒的蛇與兇猛的野獸，大家都不喜歡他們也不敢靠近他們。
他們看到別人不敢靠近自己，他們不覺得有問題，他們覺得這是別人懼怕自己的表現，他們還因此感覺到非常的得意，他們在擁有極大的權力與勢力的時候，他們沒有體認到人生就像潮水一樣，漲潮之後往往跟著就會退潮，他們沒有意識到人生就像是一條航行在海中的船，船在順風拉滿了帆的時候可以很快速地前進，但是當這條船要掉頭返航時會因為逆風所以變得非常困難。
中國古代的歷史書中記載了夏王朝與商王朝這兩個王朝的末代國王的故事，這兩個國王憑藉著自己的權力與勢力去欺壓百姓，這兩個國王把自己的權力與勢力用到極致，所以這兩個王朝才會在他們任內滅亡。
這句成語直接翻譯的意思是有毒的蛇與兇猛的野獸。
這句成語被引申用來形容那些心思凶狠與殘暴惡劣的人。
這句成語被引申用來形容令人極度害怕且必須躲避的事物。
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。
你是否有掌握著或大或小的權力呢?你是否會提醒自己並避免自己濫用權力呢?
我期待這故事能讓你產生一些新的收穫。
出處為明-馮夢龍-警世通言-卷3王安石三難蘇學士
https://zh.wikisource.org/zh-hant/%E8%AD%A6%E4%B8%96%E9%80%9A%E8%A8%80/%E7%AC%AC03%E5%8D%B7
Venomous Snakes and Ferocious Beasts(毒蛇猛獸)
During the Ming dynasty in China, there was
a famous novelist and playwright named Feng Menglong (1574–1646) who wrote
numerous short story collections.
One of these stories features a well-known
figure from the Northern Song dynasty named Su Shi (1037–1101).
The story begins with an introduction in
which Feng quotes a classic Buddhist saying:
'You may be very powerful, but when
attacking your opponent, do not use your full strength; conserve your power.'
You may be very fortunate, but when
enjoying your fortune, do not overspend; leave room for manoeuvre.
You may pursue personal gain, but when
making profits, do not harm others; consider them.
You may be very intelligent, but when
planning, do not be overconfident; maintain flexibility.'
First, I will explain the first of these
four sentences.
We can look at the people around us. Many
of them wield immense power and influence. These people are often extremely
wilful and arrogant. They lack morality and harm others without benefiting
themselves. They are like venomous snakes and ferocious beasts: nobody likes
them or dares to approach them.
They see that others are afraid to approach
them and don't see anything wrong with it. They think it's a sign of fear and
are very proud of it. When they possess immense power and influence, they fail
to realise that life is like the tide: after high tide, it often recedes. They
don't realise that life is like a ship sailing on the sea. When the wind is
favourable and the sails are full, the ship can move very fast. However, when
it wants to turn back, it becomes very difficult because of the headwind.
Ancient Chinese history books tell the
stories of the last kings of the Xia and Shang dynasties. These two kings used
their power and influence to oppress the people. They abused their power and
influence, which is why these two dynasties perished during their reigns.
The idiom literally translates as
'poisonous snake and ferocious beast'.
It is also used to describe ruthless and
cruel people.
It is also used to describe things that are
extremely frightening and must be avoided.
Dear friend, what inspiration or thoughts did you gain from this story?
Do you have any power, large or small? Do
you remind yourself to avoid abusing your power? I hope this story gives you
some new insights.