Bao Shuya 鮑叔牙
In Chinese culture Bao Shuya is known mainly for his loyalty to his friend, as well as his open-mindedness and tolerant and his judgement of ability; 在中國文化中,鮑叔牙因其對朋友的忠誠、處事開明、審時度勢的能力而著名。
Guan Zhong's political career and the subsequent power of the state of Qi arguably began from Bao's belief in his friend's talent, which he stood by firmly. 正是因為鮑叔牙對管仲才華的推崇和堅持,才有了后者的政治生涯及齊國實力的強大。
The Shiji records a quote from Guan regarding his lifelong friend and supporter: 《史記》曾援引了管仲形容其一生的朋友和支持者鮑叔牙的一段話:
"When Bao and I did business together I would take more profits for myself; “我當初貧窮時,曾和鮑叔一起做生意,分錢財,自己多拿,
he did not deem me greedy, but understood my poverty; 鮑叔不認為我貪財,他知道我貧窮啊!
when I came up with business ideas that incurred losses “我曾經(jīng)替鮑叔辦事,結(jié)果使他處境更難了,
he did not deem me foolish, but put it down to business fluctuations. 鮑叔不認為我愚蠢,他知道時運有利有不利。
When I asked for audiences with lords thrice and was thrice rejected he did not deem me useless, but put it down to lack of opportunity; 我曾經(jīng)三次做官,三次被國君辭退,鮑叔不認為我沒有才能,他知道我沒有遇到時機。
when I fled from battle thrice he did not deem me cowardly, but understood I had an ailing mother at home. 我曾經(jīng)三次作戰(zhàn),三次逃跑,鮑叔不認為我膽怯,他知道我家里有老母親。
When Prince Jiu was killed I was jailed and disgraced, and endured it; 公子糾失敗了,召忽為之而死,我卻被囚受辱,
he did not deem me shameless, but knew I had greater ambitions. 鮑叔不認為我不懂得羞恥,他知道我不以小節(jié)為羞,而是以功名沒有顯露于天下為恥。
My parents gave birth to me, but it is Bao who knows me best." 生我的是父母,了解我的是鮑叔啊!”