魏征·《谏太宗十思疏》英译

Ten Points of Deliberation Recommended to Emperor Taizong

I, your humble subject, have learned that to expect a tree to grow, one must strengthen its roots, to hope that a river runs far, one must dredge its source, to wish a state stability, one must make himself abound in virtues. The wish for a river’s running far without a deepened source, the expectation of a tree’s growing large without strengthened roots, the hope of a state’s stability without fostering an abundance of virtues—stupid as I am, I know them to be unrealistic, let alone sages! A sovereign, being a ponderous divine vessel of the State and a figure of the greatest magnitude in the country, could be likened to a man chopping off the roots to seek the luxuriant growth of a tree, blocking up the source to desire the long-distance flow of a river, if he should fail to think of possible perils while living in peace and abstain from extravagance while practicing thrift and economy. Of all the former sovereigns charged with heavenly duty, those who made a good start were numerous while those who persisted in it to the end were few. Can it be said that to gain an empire is easy, but to keep it is hard? It appears that in time of stress they were liable to treat their subjects with utmost sincerity, but having attained their arms, they abandoned themselves to passions and held others in contempt. If treated with utmost sincerity, even deadly enemies could be united in one, but when held in contempt, even kith and kin could become strangers. However threatened with the severest tortures, and awe-struck by the greatest majestic wrath, the subjects merely contrived to evade punishments without harboring gratitude for their sovereigns. Or they simply looked submissive in appearance but remained unconvinced at heart. Disaffection need not be great. It is the people that are formidable. They are like water which is able to bear a boat or overturn a boat. This indeed warrants your profound discretion.

It is earnestly hoped that you will surely act in this manner: If you have seen something desirable, think of continence and be content with what you already possess. If you undertake a project, think of ending it in due time so as to give the people relief. If you are uneasy about your perilously elevated position, think of exercising modesty and self-discipline. If you fear complacency, thin of imitating the sea, which places itself lower in altitude than rivers. If you take to hunting, think of leaving an escape to the hounded game as a token of your gracious moderation. If you are apprehensive of indolence and remissness, think of showing prudence in starting an undertaking and seriousness in bringing it to an end. If you worry about impostures, think of being open-minded to receive the opinions of your subjects. If you dread the influence of vicious traducers, think of rectifying yourself and ridding yourself of knavish persons. When you wish to vouchsafe your favors, think of avoiding undeserved rewards, which might owe to your partiality. When you want to inflict upon someone punishment, think of refraining from the abusive use of tortures which might be caused by your anger. Should you comprehend in your mind these ten points of deliberation and enhance the nine virtues and consequently select able people for your appointments while choosing good counsels as your guidance, then the wise will contribute to the utmost their resourceful strategies and the brave their valor and vigor while the benignant will cast abroad their charity and the faithful exhibit their devotion. Both the civilian and the military can be put to good use and you yourself may rule with all regal composure and dignity. Such being the case, what need is there for you to cudgel your brains to perform the various functions in place of the multitudinous officials?