樂極生悲
戰國時期,齊國有個叫淳於髡的人。他幽默機智,能說會道,給齊威王出過許多好主意,並且成功出使了許多其他的國家。
公元349年,楚國派出大批軍隊攻打齊國。
齊王派淳於髡去趙國尋求幫助,於是他帶著許多貴重的禮品去了趙國。趙王見了禮物十分高興,派了十萬士兵去援助齊國。那天晚上,楚王得到這消息,馬上撤回了自己的軍隊。
齊威王鬆了一口氣,十分滿意淳於髡的表現,並決定設宴為他慶功。在宴會上,齊威王問淳於髡:“先生你喝多少酒會醉?”他幽默地回答說:“我有時喝一升酒就會醉,有時喝一百升酒才會醉。”
齊威王聽了很奇怪。他問:“你喝一升已經醉了,怎麽還會有喝一百升的道理呢?”
淳於髡就告訴齊王,在不同的情況下他的酒量是不一樣的。他說:“喝酒讓我想到一句古話:人喝酒到了自己的極限,爛醉之後就沒了理智,一旦開心過了頭,就會發生悲慘的事。所有的事情都是這個道理。不論你做什麽,超過了限度,往往就會適得其反。”
齊威王知道淳於髡在勸誡他,回答說:“你說得對,我會接受你的建議的。”
從那以後,齊威王改掉了整晚飲酒作樂的壞習慣。
战国时期,齐国有个叫淳于髡的人。他幽默机智,能说会道,给齐威王出过许多好主意,并且成功出使了许多其他的国家。
公元349年,楚国派出大批军队攻打齐国。齐王派淳于髡去赵国寻求帮助,于是他带着许多贵重的礼品去了赵国。赵王见了礼物十分高兴,派了十万士兵去援助齐国。那天晚上,楚王得到这消息,马上撤回了自己的军队。
齐威王松了一口气,十分满意淳于髡的表现,并决定设宴为他庆功。在宴会上,齐威王问淳于髡:“先生你喝多少酒会醉?”他幽默地回答说:“我有时喝一升酒就会醉,有时喝一百升酒才会醉。”
齐威王听了很奇怪。他问:“你喝一升已经醉了,怎么还会有喝一百升的道理呢?”
淳于髡就告诉齐王,在不同的情况下他的酒量是不一样的。他说:“喝酒让我想到一句古话:人喝酒到了自己的极限,烂醉之后就没了理智,一旦开心过了头,就会发生悲惨的事。所有的事情都是这个道理。不论你做什么,超过了限度,往往就会适得其反。”
齐威王知道淳于髡在劝诫他,回答说:“你说得对,我会接受你的建议的。”
从那以后,齐威王改掉了整晚饮酒作乐的坏习惯。
Extreme joy begets sorrow
Chunyu Kun (淳于髡) lived in the state of Qi (齐国) during the Warring States Period (战国,475-221 BC).He was wise, humorous and eloquent. He skillfully advised the king on many occasions and successfully went to many states as an envoy.
In the year 349 BC, the State of Chu (楚国) dispatched a large force to attack Qi.
The king of Qi sent Chunyu Kun to the state of Zhao (赵国) to ask for help, with a lot of valuable gifts.
The king of Zhao accpeted the gifts gladly and sent a hundred thousand troops to help Qi.
The king of Chu withdrew his army that very night as soon as he got the news.
The king of Qi was released and pleased with Chunyu Kun. He set a banquet for celebration.
During the meal, the king asked Chunyu Kun, "How much wine can you drink before you're drunk, Sir?" Knowing the king had a bad habit of drinking all night, Chunyu Kun decided to take this chance to admonish the king. So he replied, "I get drunk when I drink ten litres or hundred."Puzzled, the king asked, "Since you are drunk after ten litres, how can you finish another ninty litres?"
Chunyu Kun then explained that he could drink different amounts of wine under different conditions. He said, "This occurs to me that when you drink to your limit, you get so drunk that you lose your sense; once joy reaches its height, then it's sorrow's turn. This is the rule for everything. Whatever you do, you are bound to end up in the opposite direction when you exceed the limits."Realizing Chunyu Kun was advising him, the king answered, "You are right. I will take your advice."
From then on, the king of Qi gave up his bad habit of drinking and playing all night.