欹器與持滿之道
The Tilting Vessel and the Way of Maintaining Fullness
孔子觀於魯桓公之廟，有欹器焉，孔子問於守廟者曰：「此為何器？」守廟者曰：「此蓋為宥坐之器，」孔子曰：「吾聞宥坐之器者，虛則欹，中則正，滿則覆。」孔子顧謂弟子曰：「注水焉。」弟子挹水而注之。中而正，滿而覆，虛而欹，孔子喟然而嘆曰：「吁！惡有滿而不覆者哉！」子路曰：「敢問持滿有道乎？」孔子曰：「聰明聖知，守之以愚；功被天下，守之以讓；勇力撫世，守之以怯，富有四海，守之以謙：此所謂挹而損之之道也。」
Confucius visited the temple of Duke Huan of Lu, where there was a tilting vessel. Confucius asked the temple keeper: 'What kind of vessel is this?' The keeper replied: 'This is an admonition vessel for the seat of honor.' Confucius said: 'I have heard that such a vessel tilts when empty, stands upright when half-full, and overturns when completely full.' Confucius turned to his disciples and said: 'Pour water into it.' A disciple drew water and poured it in. When half-full it stood upright; when full it overturned; when empty it tilted. Confucius sighed deeply and said: 'Alas! How could there be anything full that does not overturn?' Zilu asked: 'May I ask whether there is a Way to maintain fullness?' Confucius said: 'Possessing brilliance and sagely wisdom, guard it with humility. Having merit that covers the world, guard it with deference. Having courage and strength that overawe the age, guard it with timidity. Being rich enough to possess all within the four seas, guard it with modesty. This is what is called the Way of drawing off to diminish.'
Notes
Zilu (子路, 542-480 BC), also known as Zhong You (仲由), was one of Confucius's most prominent disciples, known for his boldness and directness.