In the state of Qin, Yan Zi (1) obeyed Zheng's management and used it to help others (3). Mencius said, "You don't know how to govern the country. 1 1 4 years old, 50% on the bar; /kloc-in October/February, Yu Liang (6) was completed, and the people were not sick. Gentlemen should be equal in politics and in handling affairs. (7) How can everyone help him? So for politicians, everyone enjoys it, and one day is not enough. "
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When the property owner was in charge of Zheng, he used his own car to help the people cross Qinshui and Qinshui. Mencius commented: "This is an act of benevolence and righteousness, and I don't know how to go into politics. If he builds a bridge for people to walk in 1 1 month and a bridge for horses and chariots in1February, the people will not worry about crossing the river. As long as the people at the top manage their political affairs well, they can go out and make their way. How do they help people cross the river one by one? If the ruling people want to please everyone, then the time is too short. "
reading comprehension
Zhuge Liang said: "To govern the world, it is important to be virtuous but not small." ("The History of the Three Kingdoms") Zhu Pei quoted Huayang National Records)
What he said was exactly what Mencius meant.
Zichan uses his car to help people cross the river. This is the virtue of loving the people in the eyes of ordinary people, so it is a beautiful talk. Mencius, however, from a politician's point of view, declared that this was a small favor and did not help to cure the problem. Instead of helping people cross the river one by one, it is better to build bridges for them with your strength and solve the problem once and for all, so that they will never have the trouble of crossing the river again.
In other words, politicians should focus on the overall situation, rather than pleasing people with small favors, let alone fishing for fame and reputation.
From this perspective, Mencius' point of view is very reasonable.
The second part (the way of monarch and minister, carrying things with kindness)
summer
The way of the monarch and the minister is to be virtuous and carry things.
original text
Mencius said to Qi Xuanwang, "I am like a brother, then I am like a heart." If you treat me like a dog or a horse, then I will treat you like a Chinese; If you treat me like dirt, then I treat you like an enemy. "
The king said, "Li, because the old king has clothes, why can he do this?"
Yue: "admonish and listen, anoint the people;" If there is a reason to go, lead people out of Xinjiang and walk in front of them; Go for three years, and then put it in its field. It's called three rites. That's it. I'm convinced. I am also a minister today, but I can't remonstrate and I won't listen to what I say; The cream is not inferior to the people; If there is a reason to go, then you will fight for it, and you will be extremely motivated by it; On the day he left, he collected it in his field. It's called feud. Kouqiu, what is service? "
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Mencius said to Qi Xuanwang: "The monarch regards his courtiers as brothers and sisters, and courtiers will also regard the monarch as their confidant;" The monarch treats his liegeman as a dog and a horse, and his liegeman will treat him as an irrelevant person; The monarch treats the giant like dirt, and the shrimp, soldiers and crabs will treat the monarch as an enemy. "
Qi Xuanwang said: "According to the etiquette system, outgoing officials should also express their filial piety to the past monarchs. What can you mainly do to make them mourn for him? "
Mencius said: "the princes have admonitions, and the princes follow them;" I have a suggestion, so listen to it. In the favor of politics, he went deep into the common people. When the liegeman had to leave for some reason, the monarch sent someone to send him abroad and sent someone to make some arrangements where the liegeman wanted to go first. He left for three years and didn't come back until he recovered his land and house. This is the so-called "three famous prostitutes". You are filial to him by doing so. Now, as a bannerman, he exhorted, but the king did not accept it; Suggestions, the king didn't listen. Ordinary people don't get political favors. Why did the liegeman leave? The monarch tied him up and tried every means to make him poor wherever he went. On the day he left, he got back his land and house. This situation is called enemy situation. The question of the monarch and the minister is like hatred. What is filial piety? "
reading comprehension
The so-called return the favor, a scholar dies for a confidant. Also known as the grace of dripping water, when spring comes.
A wise monarch always knows this truth, so when he treats his subordinates as brothers, he will treat the monarch as a confidant and repay him with death. For example, Liu Huangshu used Guan Yu, Zhang Fei and Zhuge Liang, which have been passed down as beautiful talks.
In fact, it is not only the way the king uses his liegeman, but also the modern way of employing people.
To put it bluntly, it means mutual respect. You respect me one inch, I respect you one foot.
Otherwise, if you turn against each other and lose both sides, you are not a gentleman and a minister is not a minister; Leaders don't lead, and those who are led will not be led.
Then who can blame? I can only blame myself for not being a leader.
Next article (not cultivated in China, only talents can be cultivated)
summer
If you can't cultivate in the middle, you can't cultivate talents.
original text
Mencius said, "If we can't train talents in China, we can't train talents. So, you are very happy to have a good father and brother. You can't give up halfway, you can't give up your talents, so you can't give up your talents. "
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Mencius said: "People with good moral cultivation educate people with poor moral cultivation;" Talents educate talents, so everyone is happy to have a good father and brother. If people with good moral cultivation abandon people with poor moral cultivation; Talented people dislike talented people, so the difference between good and bad is too close to be measured by inches. "
reading comprehension
The so-called "don't teach, the father is wrong; The teaching is not strict, the teacher's feelings. " (Three-character classics sage as a teacher, unite everyone to make progress together; The almighty is the teacher, helping everyone to improve together. In a word, everyone has the obligation to educate and edify others. Otherwise, what good is the so-called "good guy"?
Imitate the words of western sages: "People, you are all people of God. Love each other, don't leave any brothers and sisters! "
Therefore, we should carry out "Project Hope", "Heart to Heart" and "Hand in Hand" activities.
Next article (do something, then do something)
summer
Do something, then do something.
original text
Mencius said: "man can do anything, and then he can do something."
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Mencius said, "Only when people do something can they do nothing."
reading comprehension
Life is short and the world is boundless. People who can achieve great things depend on the choice of goals and behaviors. If you do everything carefully, you will be very busy and become a mediocre person. Therefore, we must give up something and do nothing in order to achieve great things and make a difference. Xia Zi said: "Although there are traces, there must be something to show away from the mud and be a gentleman." ("The Analects? Zhang Zi) is exactly what Mencius meant here. Generally speaking, the so-called "inaction" of Confucianism is for "promising", but it is necessary to do something selectively, which is not the same as the "inaction" thought of Laozi and Zhuangzi.
Next article (what will happen if you say something bad)
summer
What will happen if you don't speak well?
original text
Mencius said, "What happens when you speak ill of others?"
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Mencius said, "What if you speak ill of others and ask for trouble?"
reading comprehension
"Who didn't say it behind, who didn't say it before?" People's bad habits are indeed so. However, if someone takes pleasure in speaking ill of others behind their backs and is addicted to scabbing, then all the special terms will be given to him or her, called gossip! Confucius once said, "Hearsay leads to moral decay." ("The Analects? Yang Huo) We also gave this kind of hearsay a title called "Small Broadcast". How can a gossip be compared with a small broadcast? Small broadcast is not necessarily gossip, gossip is small broadcast. Small radio broadcasts free direct news, voluntary advertising, listening first, and taking pride in being well informed. Boring! A gossip is a gossip, but a gossip is a gossip. She will quickly peek into other people's privacy and take pleasure in stabbing people in the back. Damn it! Small broadcasts are stupid, and rumors are evil. If we say that for small broadcasts, we should tell them to "live! "So, for a gossip, it should be" rats cross the street and everyone shouts ". "
Next article (words don't have to be believed, actions don't have to be fruitful)
summer
Words don't have to be believed, and actions don't have to be fruitful.
original text
Mencius said, "My Lord, you don't have to believe what you say, and what you do doesn't have to bear fruit, but what is righteousness?"
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Mencius said: "A wise man doesn't have to keep his word, and his work doesn't have to bear fruit, as long as it is moral."
reading comprehension
In The Analects of Confucius? In Luz, when Confucius and Zigong discussed the standards of scholars, they already said, "Keep your word, do what you say, and make yourself a villain!" This is a negative act of "keeping your word". Mencius told us from the front here, "Words don't have to be believed, but actions don't have to be fruitful." It can be seen that Mencius' theory is indeed in the same strain as Confucius in many aspects.
We have talked a lot about the flexibility of "big letter" and "small letter", that is, "letter" Here is just a brief recapitulation, that is, on the one hand, "faith" is one of the core concepts of Confucianism, and the most typical emphasis is what Confucius said: "People don't believe, they don't know what they can do." ("The Analects? On the other hand, we can't stick to "faith" and don't know how to be flexible. In the most extreme case, we say, is it necessary to say "credit" to your enemy? Therefore, it should be handled flexibly according to the specific situation. The standard of flexibility is what Mencius said here: "Where is righteousness?". "This is the most basic thing that we can't give up, and it is also the principle that guides us to master in real life.
With principles, it will certainly be much easier.
The next part (adults don't lose heart)
summer
Adults don't lose heart.
original text
Mencius said, "An adult will never lose his childlike innocence."
To annotate ...
1 Naked baby: baby.
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Mencius said, "A great man is a man with childlike innocence."
reading comprehension
Always playing with children?
Of course not.
The great man is broad-minded, "the prime minister can punt in his stomach." And childlike innocence is real and natural.
The prime minister can punt in his stomach because he doesn't care about every opinion, but he can preserve the true colors of nature and always face the world with the novelty and innocence of a childlike heart, making himself full of energy, omniscient and omnipotent. The key here is actually two points: one is innocence, and the other is generosity. It is on these two points that we can find the similarities between truly great people and childlike innocence.
Laozi said, "Changde never leaves, but belongs to the baby." (Chapter 20 of Lao Zi)
He also said: "Everyone is bustling. If they enjoy too many prisons, it is like coming to the stage in spring, and I am lonely, just like an unborn child." ("Laozi") Chapter 2 You see that a group of people are rushing to a sumptuous banquet, just like looking out on the stage in spring. Only I am cold and indifferent, just like the baby who doesn't know how to laugh.
Laozi's original intention is to advocate returning to simplicity and being indifferent and peaceful. However, indifferent ambitions are quiet and far away. This is similar to Mencius' thought.
To sum up, a truly great man is not as complicated as we ordinary chicken-hearted people think, so he can keep a childlike innocence and sometimes show it, just like a person with a childlike innocence.
Next article (the purpose of further study is to be complacent)
summer
The purpose of further study is self-satisfaction
original text
Mencius said, "A gentleman wants to be complacent when he learns Tao. If you are complacent, you will feel at ease; Living in peace is the depth of capital; Senior is around. Therefore, the gentleman is complacent. "
To annotate ...
1 capital: accumulation. ② Original text: same as "source".
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Mencius said: "A gentleman follows certain methods to deepen his accomplishments in order to gain something. If you gain something, you can firmly grasp it; If you master it firmly, you can accumulate profound knowledge; If it accumulates deeply, it can be used. Therefore, gentlemen always hope to gain something. "
reading comprehension
The purpose of further study is self-satisfaction.
Complacency means that you really gain something, not show it off to others. In short, complacency is an internal skill, not a move. Mr. Nan Guo has enough tricks, but he has no internal skills at all. Therefore, once he passes the exam, he will have to run away. This is a very typical example. Modern scholars are ashamed of Mr. Nan Guo, but there are many people who behave like Mr. Nan Guo. They are either "reeds on the wall, top-heavy and shallow;" The bamboo shoots in the mountains have a thick skin and a thick belly. " Or "pull the banner as tiger skin" and decorate the facade with "celebrities". Its moves are refurbished, and so on. The key lies in seeking others without seeking complacency, fearing that others will not know themselves, fearing that they have no talent, as Confucius said, "Don't confuse people with the unknown, and don't suffer from it" (The Analects of Confucius? The spirit of Xianwen is just the opposite.
All in all, it is still "the ancient scholars are for themselves, and today's scholars are human beings." ("The Analects? Xian Wen) "Be complacent, for yourself, and vice versa. Confucius and Mencius talked about the well-intentioned way of learning. You and I scholars should think deeply so as not to go astray.
Next article (knowledgeable and detailed, will return to the contract)
summer
After a detailed understanding, I will return to the contract.
original text
Mencius said: "erudite and refined, but you promise it on the contrary."
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Mencius said: "The purpose of learning from others and explaining in detail is to return to simplicity after mastering it."
reading comprehension
Truth is simple, partly because of our need to understand, and partly because of the ostentation of so-called "learned people", which makes them more and more complex and profound.
"You don't say I still understand. The more you say, the more confused I am! " This is a complaint or humor that we often hear. If this complaint comes from a diligent student, I'm afraid the teacher will really sweat under his arm and wish there were no holes to drill.
In fact, on many issues, we hate having no holes to drill. For example, "What is a person?" "What is culture?" Don't say that everyone understands, that everyone is confused. Therefore, erudition is not to show off one's profound knowledge and pretend to be profound, but to explain it in simple terms and return to the original.
Teaching is like this, talking is like this, dancing is like this.
The so-called "gorgeous and extremely plain", erudition is attributed to simplicity.
Erudite comment is that mean, and conciseness is the purpose.
Next article (nurturing people with kindness can serve the world)
summer
Only by cultivating people with kindness can we serve the world.
original text
Mencius said: "no one can convince others with kindness;" Cultivate people with kindness, but you can serve them well. The world is not convinced, and the king is not there. "
translate
Mencius said, "It is impossible to convince people simply by kindness." Only by educating people with kindness can we convince the world. It is impossible for people in the world to unify the world without being persuaded. "
reading comprehension
The key is to "raise people".
The subtle influence of education is immeasurable.
As educators, Confucius and Mencius attached great importance to the role of education and practiced it.
Because, no matter how good your thoughts are, no matter how good your policy of governing the country and leveling the world is, in a word, it is more "good". Without "educating people"-educating people, how can people understand it and turn it into their own thoughts and behaviors?
Even today, don't we still emphasize "a century-long plan, education-oriented"?
Next article (the shame that a gentleman feels when he hears it)
summer
It is a shame for a gentleman to hear about it.
original text
Xu Zi said: "Zhong Ni was anxious to weigh it in the water and said,' water, water!'" "How to get it from the water?"
Mencius said, "The hooligans at the source (3) never give up day and night, and English subjects (4) are backward and spread all over the world. If you have this, you can take it. If there is no foundation, it will rain in July and August and the ditch (6) will be full; If it dries up, it can stand still. Therefore, (7) too emotional, a gentleman is ashamed. "
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Xu Zi said, "Confucius praised water many times and said,' Water! "water!" What does he think of water? "
Mencius said: "Water gushes from the source, flows day and night, fills the low-lying places, and then continues to flow to the sea." It is so endless and running. Confucius adopted this feature. Imagine that if water does not have this inexhaustible source, it will be like a rainstorm in July and August. Although it can also fill the ditch at once, it will also be exhausted by wine at once. Therefore, reputation exceeds reality, and a gentleman is ashamed of it. "
reading comprehension
On the one hand, Mencius expounded the meaning of Zhong Ni and the characteristics of water; On the other hand, water is used to compare people's moral quality, emphasizing seeking truth from facts, and opposing a person's reputation is inconsistent with its actual situation. Everyone is required to be like water, to have an inexhaustible basis for survival, to make continuous progress and to strive for self-improvement.
In fact, we found Confucius' own detailed answer to the question why it is called "water" in Han Shi Zhuan.
The question was raised by Zi Gong. Zi Gong said, "When a gentleman sees a flood, he always observes it. Why? "
Confucius said, "A gentleman is more virtuous than a man with water!" Isn't it virtuous not to send water everywhere selflessly? Everything grows everywhere, isn't it just like kindness? The flow direction always follows a certain truth. Isn't it like justice? Shallow flowing water, deep unfathomable, isn't this like wisdom? Isn't it brave to go to the abyss and be afraid? Don't let go of any nuances, isn't it like being observant? Don't avoid dangerous terrain. Isn't that like generosity? Dirty things go in and come out clean Isn't that like being good at education? The water is always flat, isn't it fair? Don't ask for all the profits, isn't it like thrift? No matter how many twists and turns, it always flows eastward. Isn't that like a strong will? It is precisely because of these characteristics of water that a gentleman must look at the water when he sees it. "
This is simply a hymn of water! Vivid and profound. In that case, why don't we look at the water?
Next article (What's the difference between man and beast)
summer
What is the difference between man and beast?
original text
Mencius said: "The reason why people are different from animals is that Shu Ren went there and the gentleman kept it. Shun ming is good at ordinary things, observing human relations, and doing righteousness, not benevolence. "
translate
Mencius said: "There is only a little difference between man and beast. Most people abandon it, and gentlemen keep it. Shun understands the truth and humanity of general things, so taking the road of righteousness is not for righteousness. "
reading comprehension
What's the difference between humans and animals?
Today, this is an anthropological proposition. But Mencius raised this question more than two thousand years ago.
Mencius said there was only a little difference between man and beast, but he didn't say what that was. However, in Teng Wengong, we heard him say that people are full, warm and comfortable, and if they are not educated, they are just like animals. It can be seen that in Mencius' view, the difference between man and beast lies in whether there is anything spiritual, in our words today. This is basically consistent with our general view now, that is, human's animal instinct, that is, its natural attribute is an animal, but its spiritual and cultural aspect, that is, its social attribute is a non-animal, and the fundamental difference between human and animals lies in the latter aspect. In this case, noble people should certainly develop the hand that distinguishes people from animals. Therefore, Mencius said, "Shu Ren will go, and the gentleman will stay." Most people tend to ignore this point, and only people with high quality pay attention to preserving and developing this point. For example, some people think that "life is alive, food and clothing are two words", that is to advertise "eat and wear warm, live in seclusion and not teach", which is naturally "close to animals". Of course, Mencius did not want to completely deny "eat and wear warm, live in seclusion and not teach" and asked people not to eat fireworks and abstain from abstinence. Instead, we think that we should, like Shun Di, "understand ordinary things, observe human feelings and do benevolence and righteousness", and release the way of benevolence and righteousness from the truth of ordinary things and human nature, instead of doing benevolence and righteousness for the sake of benevolence and disregard human nature.
From all aspects, Mencius' proposition should be "eat and wear warm clothes, live in seclusion and have education", which neither excludes human nature nor emphasizes the importance of education. Neither material survival nor spiritual pursuit can be abandoned. This is certainly in line with our basic point of view today.
Next article (ambiguous, most difficult)
summer
Between the two, it is the most difficult.
original text
Mencius said: "it is desirable, not desirable, and it is cheap; Dispensable, injured; You can die, you can die, you are brave. "
translate
Mencius said: "you can take it or not, and taking it is harmful to integrity;" What can be given and what can't be given has given adverse benefits; You can die or not. Death is bad for courage. "
reading comprehension
Different from the famous "fish and bear's paw", Mencius presented us with an ambiguous choice and it was much more difficult. Like killing people, stealing goods or obeying the law? This is not a problem for most people, but do you want to take kickbacks or not? Do you accept red envelopes or not? For many people, this is a very difficult problem.
As far as the case cited by Mencius is concerned, "beggar-thy-neighbor" is relatively easy to understand, while "benefiting from injury" and "being brave in death and injury" are somewhat puzzling. Think about it, the so-called "benefit from injury" probably means that it is better not to give when you can or can't give it. Because "anxious people are anxious", that is, Confucius said that "a gentleman who is eager for quick success and instant benefit is unsuccessful" ("The Analects of Confucius? Yong also "). Otherwise, giving is suspected of abusing goodwill, but it hurts real goodwill. This is "harmony". As for "brave death and injury", it means that when we are faced with the choice between life and death, sometimes survival needs more courage than death, and it needs stronger perseverance to overcome difficulties and humiliation. In this case, if we choose to die, it is likely to give people a feeling of suicide, and of course it will also damage our courage. This is "death and injury".
Some people think that Mencius cited "Wei Hui" and "death and injury" because chivalry prevailed in the Warring States period, and four assassins, great kindness, Jing (Zhen) and Nie (Zheng), committed suicide, so Mencius pointed out the disadvantages of the times and took it as a warning. (Mao Qiling's "The Sage's Interpretation of Fei Lu" quotes all auspicious words)
In this case, it is a topic of the times. So, what's the point for us?
I am afraid it is "taking advantage of it"!
The next part (killing Yi, also in the book)
summer
Kill yi, and yi will have it.
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After learning archery from Yi, he thought that only Yi's archery was better than himself, so he killed Yi. Mencius said, "There is also a sin in this matter."
Gong said, "You shouldn't be guilty."
Mencius said, "This is not a great sin. How can you say no? " ? Once upon a time, Zheng sent Zizhuo's son to invade Wei, and Wei sent Geng Gong to pursue him. Zizhuo said, "I had a seizure today. I can't draw a bow. I am dead! He asked the driver, "Who is chasing me?" The coachman replied, "It's Duke Geng." . Zizhuo said,' Then I won't die. His car driver said,' Geng Gongzhi is a famous archer defending the country, but Mr. Geng said he would not die. Why? Zizhuo's son said: "Geng Gongsi learned archery from Yin Gongzhi, and Yin Gongzhi learned archery from me." . Yin Gongzhi is an upright man, and the friends he chooses must be upright. Geng Gong's family came after him and asked, "Sir, why don't you take the bow?" Zizhuo said,' I'm sick today, so I can't learn from it. Qing Palace said,' I learned archery from Yin Gongzhi, and Yin Gongzhi learned archery from you. I can't bear to use your archery to harm you in turn. However, today's event is a national event, and I dare not do it. "So he drew an arrow, knocked on the wheel several times, knocked it off, fired four arrows and went back."
Next article (the handwriting is not clean, everyone covers their noses)
summer
translate
Mencius said: "A beautiful woman like this, if she is contaminated with filth and filth, others will pass by with their noses covered;" Although he is an ugly man, he can worship his ancestors if he fasted and bathed. "
Love is always loved by those who love it.
summer
People who love others will always love others.
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Mencius said: "A gentleman is different from ordinary people in that he has different thoughts in his mind. The idea in a gentleman's heart is benevolence and courtesy. Good people love others, and humble people respect others. People who love others often love others; People who respect others often respect others. Suppose someone here is rude to me. That gentleman will definitely ask himself: I must be unfriendly and rude. Otherwise, how could he do this to me? If asking yourself is kind and polite, and that person is still rude, then the gentleman must ask himself again: I must be unfaithful, right? If self-doubt is loyal and this person is still arrogant, then this gentleman will say,' This person is just a madman. "What's the difference between such people and animals? What are animals to blame? Therefore, a gentleman has a lifelong worry, and there is no disaster once. For example, there is such a worry: Shun is a human being and I am also a human being; Shun is a model in the world, and his reputation is spread to future generations, while I am just an ordinary person. This is something to worry about. Worried? Just like Shun. As for the gentleman, there is nothing else to worry about. It's not that you don't do well-meaning things, nor that you don't do impolite things. Even if there is a night of disaster, the gentleman will not feel particularly uncomfortable. "
Next article (there are five unfilial, regardless of parents)
summer
There are five unfilial, regardless of parents.
translate
Mencius said: "There are five kinds of unfilial behaviors: lazy limbs and neglect to support parents, which is the first kind;" Drinking and gambling, regardless of supporting parents, is the second type; Greedy for money, caring only for his wife and children, regardless of supporting his parents, is the third type; Addicted to sex, let parents feel humiliated, this is the fourth; Being brave and aggressive brings trouble to parents, which is the fifth kind. "
The next part (Qi people have wives and concubines)
summer
Qi people have wives and concubines
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There was a man in the state of Qi. He had a wife and a concubine. Every time a husband goes out, he must be drunk and full when he comes home. His wife asked him who he was having dinner and drinking with. According to him, they are all rich and powerful people. His wife said to his concubine, "when the husband goes out, he always comes back drunk;" Ask him who to eat and drink with. According to him, they are all rich and powerful people, but we have never seen rich and powerful people go home. I'm going to quietly see where he is going. "
When she got up the next morning, she followed her husband around the city and didn't see anyone standing down to talk to him. Finally, he went to the cemetery in the eastern suburbs and asked the grave sweeper for some leftovers. Not enough, he looked around and begged elsewhere-that's how he got drunk.
His wife came home and told his concubine: "The husband is the person we look up to and the support of our life. Now he is like this! -"They cursed and cried in the yard, but the husband didn't know. He came back triumphantly from the outside, imposing himself in front of his two women.
In the eyes of a gentleman, it is rare for people to cry together without shaming their wives and concubines!
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