求之不得(We pursue it, yet cannot obtain it.)
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，馮夢龍為了解釋第四句話，他提出一小段他的看法，接著他從這段話中帶出這個故事的主角。
這段看法的大概意思如下。
聰明是每個人都想要的，但聰明不能憑著著努力追求去得到。
我們追求它，卻得不到它。
一個人可以非常的聰明，但是這個聰明人必須明白每個人的聰明都有其界限。
我們必須理解，我們生活的這個世界的範圍太大了，一個人不可能看遍這個世界上的所有風景，我們生活的這個世界的知識太多了，一個人不可能理解這個世界上的所有知識，我們生活的這個世界的書籍太多了，一個人不可能讀完這個世界上的所有書籍。
我們沒有人可以理解這個世界上的所有真理與看清楚這個世界的真相。
我們應該保持這種清醒的態度。
如果一個不聰明的人可以理解自己所知道的事情是有限的、這個人保持虛心的態度，那麼這個態度會讓這個不聰明的人變成聰明。
如果一個聰明的人無法理解自己所知道的事情是有限的、這個人保持驕傲的態度，那麼這個態度會讓這個聰明的人變成不聰明。
我們今天要說一個故事，這個故事的主角就是一個非常聰明的人，這個人是誰呢，他是宋王朝的一個著名的文學家與詩人，他的名字叫做蘇軾。
這句成語直接翻譯的意思是我們追求它，卻得不到它。
這句成語被用來形容非常渴望得到某人、某物或某種機會，卻怎麼也得不到。
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。
你覺得自己是聰明人還是愚笨人呢? 你認為一個聰明的人就一定能順利生活嗎嗎?
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
We pursue it, yet cannot obtain it.(求之不得)
During the Ming dynasty in China, there was
a famous novelist and playwright named Feng Menglong (1574–1646) who wrote
numerous short story collections.
He once wrote a story about 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.'
In these four sentences, Feng Menglong
offers a brief observation on the fourth, before introducing the protagonist of
the story.
The gist of this observation is as follows:
Everyone desires intelligence, but it
cannot be obtained through effort alone.
We pursue it, yet cannot obtain it.
Even an extremely intelligent person must
understand that intelligence has its limits.
The world we live in is vast, and it is
impossible to see all of its landscapes. The world contains so much knowledge
that it is impossible to comprehend it all. There are so many books in the
world; it is impossible to read them all.
None of us can grasp all the truths of this
world or perceive its full reality.
We should maintain this clear-headed
attitude.
If an unintelligent person recognises the
limitations of their knowledge and remains humble, they will become
intelligent.
If an intelligent person fails to recognise
the limitations of their knowledge and remains arrogant, this will make them
appear unintelligent.
Today, we are going to tell the story of a
very intelligent person. Who was he? He was Su Shi, a famous writer and poet
from the Song dynasty.
The idiom translates as "We pursue
something, but cannot obtain it."
It is used to describe someone who
desperately desires a certain person, thing or opportunity but cannot obtain it
no matter what they try.
Dear friend, what inspiration or thoughts have you gained from this story?
Do you consider yourself intelligent or foolish? Do you think an intelligent person is guaranteed an easy life?
I hope
this story gives you some new insights.