§55 愿为王剃须喻

(55) to be a king's barber

昔者有王，有一亲信，于军阵中，殁命救王，使得安全。王大欢喜，与其所愿。即便问言：“汝何所求，恣汝所欲。”

once upon a time, a king's personal attendant risked his life to save the king at the battlefield. the king was so grateful that he gave his lifesaver whatever he wanted. the king asked, "what do you want? your wishes shall be granted."

臣便答言：“王剃须时，愿听我剃。”

the man replied, "allow me to shave you when you need a shave."

王言：“此事若适汝意，听汝所愿。”

the king said, "if that is what you wish to do, i'll grant it to you."

如此愚人，世人所笑。半国之治，大臣辅相，悉皆可得，乃求贱业。愚人亦尔。

such a stupid man is laughed at by the people at large. it would be so much better for the barber to ask for half a country or to become prime minister or minister of state rather than to practice the mean profession. only a stupid man would do so.

编辑:Liuxuepaper.Com