The Heaven and the Earth(6)
天地（六）
1 When Emperor Yao was in power, Bo Chengzi was appointed as marquis. As Emperor Yao abdicated and gave the crown to Shun and then Shun to Yu, Bo Chengzi always was widely respected as the key minister of the state.
在堯當政的時代，伯成子就官拜為侯。堯後來禪讓給舜，舜再讓位給禹; 在朝中歷經了三代，伯成子始終都是國之重臣，大家都極為敬重他。
堯治天下，伯成子高立為諸侯。堯授舜，舜授禹，伯成子高辭為諸侯而耕。
2 However, some time ago Bo Chengzi sudden resigned and went home for farming. All people felt bewildered, as did Emperor Yu. He reflected that: Why did Bo Chengzi resign? Was he dissatisfied with me? I must make it clear.
可是不久前，伯成子突然辭官回家務農去了，舉國百姓都大感困惑不解，禹自己也頗感納悶。為什麼他要辭官呢? 是不是對我有什麼不滿? 我一定要去查問個清楚才行。
3 Arriving at Bo Chengzi’s house, Emperor Yu saw the old man weeding in the field. Emperor Yu stood at the foot of the hill slope with great reverence.
禹到了伯成子家，這位老先生正在田裡鋤草。禹站在山坡下方恭恭敬敬地直立著。
禹往見之，則耕在野。
4 Yu came straight to the point. “At the ages of Yao and Shun, you were marquis; people regarded you as a key minister of the state. Why did you resign short after I came to throne? Am I impolite or inconsiderate to you? If so, please don’t hesitate and let me know the truth.”
禹開門見山地問：「在堯、舜兩代，你都是官拜侯爵的國之重臣，百姓對你更是推崇有加。為什麼我剛上臺不久，你就辭官歸田了呢？是我有什麼不禮貌，或是不週到的地方嗎？請你千萬務必要告訴我。」
禹趨就下風，立而問焉，曰：「昔堯治天下，吾子立為諸侯。堯授舜，舜授予，而吾子辭為諸侯而耕。敢問，其故何也？」
5 As a plebeian, Bo Chengzi felt free to speak. He vented his feeling without misgiving. “In the past, Yao advocated no award to people, and people did work well in their own duty and field. He never frightened people by punishments. All people conformed to the conventions and rules, no stealing and robbing.
伯成子無官一身輕，說話也沒有什麼好顧忌的，他老老實實地說出了自己內心的感受：「從前堯當政時，百姓不須宣導獎勵，大家都安份守己的將自己的工作做好，當家的也從不採用任何刑罰來恐嚇百姓，大家都自動自發地循規蹈矩，從不會做偷雞摸狗的事。
子高曰：「昔者堯治天下，不賞而民勸，不罰而民畏。
6 Now you are carrying out the policy of inducement and prompting which compels people forth and back to make them obedient. The policy makes people losing their original virtue.
而如今你推行“誘導與鞭策”前後夾擊的兩手政策，迫使百姓就範。這樣的措施使得百姓喪失了他們原有的德性。
7 When self-discipline in a society weakens and people’s quality lowers, severe punishment should be employed to maintain the order of society. The society goes into chaos.
當一個社會的自律性降低，百姓品格低下，必須使用嚴酷的刑罰來維持社會秩序時，這個社會已經走向了混亂的道路。
8 I am completely disappointed at politics. Now that I can’t do well to the country, please let me keep myself pure and lofty.” Lowering his head, he neglected Yu and went on plowing.
對於政治，我已經是徹底的失望了。既然不能兼善天下，那麼就請你讓我獨善其身吧！」伯成子低下頭，不再理會禹，自顧自的繼續他田裡的工作。
今子賞罰而民且不仁，德自此衰，刑自此立，後世之亂，自此始矣！夫子闔行邪？無落吾事！」俋俋乎耕而不顧。