叔向贺贫 Shuxiang Congratulated on Poverty 叔向见韩宣子，宣子忧贫，叔向贺之。 Shuxiang went to see Han Xuanzi. Xuanzi was worried about his poverty, but Shuxiang congratulated him instead. 宣子曰：“吾有卿之名而无其实，无以从二三子，吾是以忧，子贺我，何故？”Xuanzi said, "I have the title of a high minister but not the corresponding wealth. I don't have the means to associate with other ministers. That's why I'm worried. You congratulate me, why?" 对曰：“昔栾武子无一卒之田，其宫不备其宗器，宣其德行，顺其宪则，使越于诸侯。 Shuxiang replied, "In the past, Luan Wuzi didn't even have the land equivalent to that of a hundred soldiers. His mansion didn't have all the sacrificial vessels of his clan. He spread his virtuous deeds and followed the laws and regulations, thus making his reputation spread among the feudal lords.诸侯亲之，戎狄怀之，以正晋国。行刑不疚，以免于难。The feudal lords were close to him, and the Rong and Di tribes were won over by him. He rectified the state of Jin. He carried out punishments without any flaws and thus escaped disasters.及桓子，骄泰奢侈，贪欲无艺，略则行志，假货居贿，宜及于难，而赖武之德以没其身。 When it came to Huanzi, he was arrogant, extravagant, and insatiably greedy. He violated the laws to fulfill his desires, hoarded goods through illegal means, and should have encountered disasters. However, he relied on the virtue of Luan Wuzi and managed to live out his life. 及怀子，改桓之行，而修武之德，可以免于难，而离桓之罪，以亡于楚。 When it came to Huaizi, he changed the ways of Huanzi and cultivated the virtues of Luan Wuzi. As a result, he could have been spared from disasters and separated himself from the crimes of Huanzi. However, in the end, he still perished in Chu.夫郤昭子，其富半公室，其家半三军，恃其富宠，以泰于国。其身尸于朝，其宗灭于绛。 Xi Zhaozi was so wealthy that his wealth was half that of the ducal house, and his family's property was equivalent to half of the military forces of the state. Relying on his wealth and favor, he was overbearing in the state. In the end, his body was left unburied in the court, and his clan was exterminated in Jiang.不然，夫八郤，五大夫，三卿，其宠大矣，一朝而灭，莫之哀也，唯无德也。 Otherwise, among the eight Xi families, there were five high officials and three ministers. Their favor was great. But they were wiped out in one day, and no one mourned for them. It was all because they had no virtue. 今吾子有栾武子之贫，吾以为能其德矣，是以贺。 Now you, my lord, are as poor as Luan Wuzi was. I think you are capable of cultivating his virtues. That's why I congratulate you. 若不忧德之不建，而患货之不足，将吊不暇，何贺之有？”If you don't worry about not cultivating virtues but are concerned about the insufficiency of wealth, you'll be too busy mourning to deserve any congratulations."宣子拜，稽首焉，曰：“起也将亡，赖子存之，非起也敢专承之，其自桓叔以下，嘉吾子之赐。” Xuanzi bowed with his head touching the ground and said, "I was on the verge of ruin. Thanks to you, I was saved. It's not that I dare to take all the credit. From Huanshu downwards, all will appreciate your kindness."
