凡说之务，在知饰所说之所矜而灭其所耻。彼有私急也，必以公义示而强之。In all persuasion, the key is to know how to embellish what the person being persuaded takes pride in and cover up what they feel ashamed of. If they have a private pressing matter, one must use public righteousness to guide and encourage them.
其意有下也，然而不能已，说者因为之饰其美而少其不为也。If they have a base intention but can't stop themselves, the persuader should embellish the positive aspects of it and downplay their not doing what is right.
其心有高也，而实不能及，说者为之举其过而见其恶，而多其不行也。If they have a lofty aspiration but actually can't reach it, the persuader should point out their flaws and show the negative sides, and emphasize the importance of not acting rashly.
有欲矜以智能，则为之举异事之同类者，多为之地，使之资说于我，而佯不知也以资其智。If they want to show off their intelligence and ability, the persuader should cite similar examples of extraordinary things, provide them with ample material, let them draw on what I say, and pretend not to know to help them display their wisdom.
欲内相存之言，则必以美名明之，而微见其合于私利也。If one wants to offer words of mutual accommodation, it must be presented with a good name, and subtly show that it is in line with their self - interest.
欲陈危害之事，则显其毁诽而微见其合于私患也。If one wants to mention harmful matters, clearly show the negative aspects and subtly suggest that it is related to their private concerns.
誉异人与同行者，规异事与同计者。Praise those who have the same actions as others with different reputations, and offer advice on different matters with the same considerations.
有与同污者，则必以大饰其无伤也；有与同败者，则必以明饰其无失也。If someone has the same stain as others, one must greatly embellish it to show that it's not a big deal; if someone has the same failure as others, one must clearly show that there is no real fault.
彼自多其力，则毋以其难概之也；自勇其断，则无以其谪怒之；自智其计，则毋以其败躬之。If they overly praise their own efforts, don't use the difficulties they face to dampen their spirits; if they are proud of their decisive actions, don't anger them by criticizing their decisions; if they think highly of their own plans, don't use their failures to embarrass them.
大意无所拂悟，辞言无所击摩，然后极骋智辩焉。此道所得，亲近不疑而得尽辞也。As long as the general idea doesn't go against their will and the words don't cause friction, then one can fully display one's wisdom and eloquence. By following this approach, one can be trusted by those close and be able to express one's words fully.
伊尹为宰，百里奚为虏，皆所以干其上也。此二人者，皆圣人也；然犹不能无役身以进，如此其污也！Yi Yin worked as a cook and Bai Lixi was a slave, both of them using these means to approach their superiors. These two were sages, yet they still had to humble themselves to advance. How demeaning it was!
今以吾言为宰虏，而可以听用而振世，此非能仕之所耻也。Now, if my words, like those of a cook or a slave, can be listened to, adopted, and benefit the world, this is not something that a capable person should be ashamed of.
夫旷日离久，而周泽既渥，深计而不疑，引争而不罪，则明割利害以致其功，直指是非以饰其身，以此相持，此说之成也。After a long time, when the favor and kindness from the superior have become deep - seated, when deep-laid plans are not doubted, and when one can argue and not be blamed, then one can clearly analyze the pros and cons to achieve success, directly point out right and wrong to improve their conduct. By maintaining this way, the persuasion will succeed.
昔者郑武公欲伐胡，故先以其女妻胡君以娱其意。In the past, Duke Wu of Zheng wanted to attack the State of Hu. So he first married his daughter to the ruler of Hu to please him.
因问于群臣："吾欲用兵，谁可伐者？"Then he asked his ministers, "I want to use troops. Who can be attacked?"
大夫关其思对曰："胡可伐。"The official Guan Qisi replied, "Hu can be attacked."
武公怒而戮之，曰："胡，兄弟之国也。子言伐之，何也？"Duke Wu got angry and killed him, saying, "Hu is a brother - like state. Why do you say to attack it?"
胡君闻之，以郑为亲己，遂不备郑。郑人袭胡，取之。The ruler of Hu heard this, thought Zheng was friendly to him, and thus didn't prepare against Zheng. The people of Zheng launched a surprise attack on Hu and conquered it.
宋有富人，天雨墙坏。其子曰："不筑，必将有盗。"其邻人之父亦云。There was a wealthy man in the State of Song. One day, it rained and the wall of his house collapsed. His son said, "If we don't repair it, there will surely be thieves." The father of their neighbor also said the same.
暮而果大亡其财。其家甚智其子，而疑邻人之父。That night, indeed, a large amount of property was stolen. The family thought their son was very smart, but suspected the father of the neighbor.
此二人说者皆当矣，厚者为戮，薄者见疑，则非知之难也，处知则难也。The words of these two persuaders were both appropriate. The one who was more involved was killed, and the one with less involvement was suspected. So, it's not the difficulty of knowing, but the difficulty of dealing with what one knows.
故绕朝之言当矣，其为圣人于晋，而为戮于秦也，此不可不察。Therefore, the words of Rao Chao were appropriate. He was regarded as a sage in Jin, but was killed in Qin. This must be clearly understood.
昔者弥子瑕有宠于卫君。卫国之法：窃驾君车者刖。In the past, Mi Zixia was favored by the ruler of Wei. According to the law of the State of Wei, those who secretly drove the ruler's carriage would have their feet cut off.
弥子瑕母病，人间往夜告弥子，弥子矫驾君车以出。Mi Zixia's mother was ill. Someone secretly went to tell him at night. Mi Zixia faked an order to drive the ruler's carriage and went out.
君闻而贤之，曰：“孝哉！为母之故，亡其刖罪。”The ruler heard about it and thought highly of him, saying, "How filial! Because of his mother, he risked the punishment of having his feet cut off."
异日，与君游于果围，食桃而甘，不尽，以其半啖君。Another day, Mi Zixia was strolling with the ruler in the orchard. He ate a peach and found it sweet. He didn't finish it and gave the remaining half to the ruler.
君曰：“爱我哉！亡其口味以啖寡人。”The ruler said, "He loves me! He gave up the delicious taste for me."
及弥子色衰爱弛，得罪于君，君曰：“是固尝矫驾吾车，又尝啖我以馀桃。”When Mi Zixia lost his beauty and the ruler's favor waned, and he offended the ruler, the ruler said, "He once faked an order to drive my carriage and also gave me the half - eaten peach."
故弥子之行未变于初也，而以前之所以见贤而后获罪者，爱憎之变也。So, Mi Zixia's actions didn't change from the beginning. But the reason why he was once regarded as virtuous and later was punished was the change in the ruler's love and hatred.
故有爱于主，则智当而加亲；有憎于主，则智不当见罪而加疏。Therefore, if one is loved by the ruler, their wisdom seems appropriate and they get closer; if one is hated by the ruler, their wisdom seems inappropriate, they are punished and get alienated.
故谏说谈论之士，不可不察爱憎之主而后说焉。So, those who offer advice and engage in discussions must observe the ruler's likes and dislikes before speaking.
夫龙之为虫也，柔可狎而骑也；然其喉下有逆鳞径尺，若人有婴之者，则必杀人。Dragons, as creatures, can be tamed and ridden when they are gentle. However, there is an inverted scale about a foot in diameter under their throats. If anyone touches it, they will surely kill that person.
人主亦有逆鳞，说者能无婴人主之逆鳞，则几矣。Rulers also have their inverted scales. If persuaders can avoid touching the ruler's inverted scales, they are almost there.
