Excerpt translation of the letter to Ren An.

Master Tai, Sima Qian, who is willing to help you, pays tribute to you again. Shao Qing's first step: In the past, it was very kind of you to write to me, teach me to be careful with others and recommend talents. Feelings are sincere, as if complaining that I didn't do what you said, and also echoing the layman's point of view. I didn't. Please allow me to talk about my stubborn and humble ideas.

I hope you don't blame me for not replying to you for a long time. My ancestors, who didn't get the extraordinary feats like Dan Shu and Iron Voucher, were engaged in drafting documents, compiling historical materials, recording astronomical phenomena and making legal calendars. (Their position) is close to the position between divination officials and Taizu. They were originally teased by the emperor, raised as musicians and actresses, and despised by customs.

If I am punished by law and sentenced to death, it will be like losing a hair on nine cows. What's the difference with ants? And the world will not treat me as a mortal, but will only think that I am exhausted and sinful. I couldn't get rid of myself and finally died.

Why? This is due to the position he usually holds. People are always going to die. Some people are heavier than Mount Tai, while others are lighter than a feather. This is because the dead knot is applied in different places.

The first category is not humiliating our ancestors, the second category is not humiliating ourselves, the second category is not humiliating face, the second category is not humiliating words, the second category is being humiliated by prisoners, the second category is putting on prison clothes, the second category is being beaten with instruments of torture, the second category is shaving hair, strangling with iron ropes, the second category is losing skin and limbs, and the last category is corruption and humiliation to the extreme. The Book of Rites says, "Doctors should not punish."

This means that scholars must maintain their moral integrity. When the tiger is in the deep mountains, all the wild animals are very afraid of it. When you are locked in a cage or fall into a trap, you wag your tail and beg for food, which is the result of gradually subduing it with strength.

So for scholars, drawing a prison on the ground (even) makes people afraid to go in; Even a wooden warder dared not confront him, and he had to commit suicide to be punished (to avoid humiliation).

Now his hands and feet are tied with instruments of torture, he takes off his clothes, is beaten with a stick, and is locked in four walls. At this time, I hit my head on the ground when I saw the jailer, and I was scared when I saw the jailer. Why? This is (also) the result of the gradual development of power restriction.

At this stage, we still say that we are not ashamed, but we are just so-called "thick-skinned". Where can we be distinguished? Besides, Xibo is the leader of a vassal, but he is imprisoned in prison; Reese was the prime minister and received five sentences. Han Xin, king of Huaiyin, was king, but he put instruments of torture on Chen.

Peng Yue and Zhang Ao were lonely when they sat on the throne, and later they were both arrested and imprisoned. Zhou bo, Jiang Hou, killed Lu's henchmen with greater power than the five tyrants in the Spring and Autumn Period, and was imprisoned in a special prison to "ask for a room"; Dou Ying, Marquis of Wei Qi, was a general, and later put on the clothes of sinners, wearing instruments of torture on his hands, feet and neck.

Ji Bu, the general of Xiang Yu, later shaved his head, strangled his neck with a hoop and became a slave of Zhu Jiajun. The irrigator was insulted in the holding cell.

These people are in the position of princes and princes, and their reputation is known to neighboring countries. Once you are guilty, you will be punished by law and you can't commit suicide.

How can you not be insulted when you fall into the dust? It has always been like this. It can be seen that courage or cowardice, strength or weakness are all determined by the situation.

What's strange about understanding this truth? It is impossible for a person to commit suicide long before being punished, so his ambition gradually declines. When he was punished with a stick, he thought he would die with honor. Is it too far from honor? This is probably why the ancients punished doctors cautiously.

As far as human nature is concerned, there is no one who is not greedy for life and hates death and misses his parents, wife and children. As for those who are excited by justice and axioms, this is not the case, because they have to.

Unfortunately, I lost my parents in my early years, and I have no brothers and am alone. As for how I treat my wife and children, can Shao Qing see it? Moreover, the brave may not die of honor, but the cowardly who advocate morality can encourage themselves not to be humiliated anytime and anywhere.

Although I am timid and want to live my own life, I know how to sacrifice my life for righteousness, so why not accept the insult of being tied by a rope! Besides, people like handmaids and concubines can commit suicide (without being humiliated). What do I have to do? The reason why I drag out an ignoble existence is that I would rather be imprisoned in prison like dirt, because my wish has not been fully realized, I am ashamed to die in obscurity, and my literary talent cannot be revealed to future generations.

In ancient times, there were countless people with wealth and status, but their names were all buried. Only outstanding people are praised by future generations.

King Wen interpreted the Book of Changes when he was in prison. Confucius wrote the Spring and Autumn Period in poverty. Qu Yuan wrote Li Sao after he was exiled.

Zuo Qiuming wrote Mandarin after he became blind. Sun Bin's kneecap was cut off and Sun Tzu's Art of War was compiled. Lv Buwei was demoted to Shu, and Lv Chunqiu was spread all over the world. Han Fei was imprisoned in the State of Qin and wrote Difficult Talks and Lonely Anger. As for the Book of Songs, there are 300 articles, most of which were written by sages to express their feelings.

These writers felt depressed and uncomfortable in their hearts, and their ideas were not accepted by people at that time, so they described their experiences and let future generations know themselves.

For example, Zuo Qiuming is blind and Sun Bin has a broken leg. After all, he cannot be used by the world. So he went home and wrote a book to express his resentment, hoping to leave words to express his thoughts.

I'm overreaching. Recently, I pinned my wish on useless words, collected the lost literature in the world, roughly researched the actions of historical figures, observed their process from beginning to end, and investigated the laws of their success, failure and rise and fall. From Xuanyuan Huangdi to now, I have written ten tables, twelve biographies, eight chapters, thirty aristocratic families and seventy biographies.

I also want to use it to explore the law of heaven and personnel, understand the historical development process from ancient times to the present, and achieve the theory of one family.

It's been drafted, but it's not finished yet, so it's a disaster. I'm sorry I didn't write it. I'd rather be castrated than look angry.

I really want to finish this book, (temporarily) hide it in a famous mountain, (later) pass it on to like-minded people, and make it popular in metropolis, so that I can make up for the humiliation I suffered in prison before, even if I was killed 10 thousand times, I will regret where I went! However, these words can only be said to knowledgeable people, and it is hard to say to outsiders.

Moreover, it is not easy to live in a guilty situation. Being humble, there are many criticisms and accusations.

I suffered this disaster because I spoke to the emperor (carelessly), and I was laughed at by my neighbors, so that my ancestors were humiliated. How can I have the face to sweep my parents' graves again? Even after another hundred generations, it will only be more humiliating! So my mind is full of pain, and I am always in a trance at home, as if I have lost something and I don't know where to go when I go out.

Every time I think about this great shame, I don't sweat or get wet! As a junior minister in the palace, how can you leave the palace and live in seclusion in the cave? So I had to go with the flow and conform to the ethos of the times to express my inner grief and indignation.

Now Shao Qing teaches me to recommend talented people. Isn't this against my private wishes? Although I (also) want to dress myself up and whitewash myself with beautiful words, it's not good for the world and I can't win people's trust. This can only lead to insult.

In short, on the day of death, there will be a conclusion about right and wrong. This letter can't express my meaning in detail, just talk about some solid and simple ideas. Greetings to you again.

Second, the original text

Taishi Gong Niu Ma left Sima Qian and said goodbye.

Young Qing, the first step: wait for someone to insult the book, teach him to be cautious, and promote a sage to a scholar. If you are diligent, you should use the words of the common people, not your servants. Servants must dare to do so. Please remain humble in Chen Gu. I'm glad I haven't reported it for a long time.

The ancestor of servants, who had both the merits of cutting Fu Dan's books and the ephemeris of literature and history, was almost between divination and blessing, and strengthened the mockery of lords and advocated superior livestock, but the vulgarity was also faded.

If the servant is punished, if nine cows die and one hair dies, why is it different from ants? However, this world is not compared with people who can die. They think that lack of wisdom is a heinous crime and cannot be exempted from customs, so they will die.

What is this? It is the result of self-establishment. People are inherently mortal, either heavier than Mount Tai or lighter than a feather.

Don't insult your body first, then your body, then your color, then your words, then your body, then your clothes, then your wooden rope, then your hair, then your baby's gold and iron, then your skin and limbs, and finally your death sentence! Chuan said: "The punishment is not on the doctor." This statement is not without encouragement.

Tigers are in the mountains, and all animals are frightened. In the middle of the threshold, they wag their tails for food, and the threat is gradually increasing. Therefore, scholars have a picture that the land is a prison, and they can't get in; Cutting wood is an official, and it is up to the fresh to discuss mistakes. Today, making friends, suffering from wooden ropes, exposure, suffering from lists, living in the wall.

At this time, seeing the jailer is the first shot, and seeing the apprentice is the heart.

who is it? So is the trend of accumulating prestige. What's more, those who don't insult their words, the so-called strong face and strong ears, are expensive! Xibo and Boya were detained in prison; Li Si, Xiang Ye, has five punishments; Huaiyin, armed by Chen; Peng Yue and Zhang Ao, known as orphans in the south, were guilty and imprisoned; Crimson Hou Zhu Lu, right pour five bo, imprisoned in the room; General, naked, off; Ji Bu is a slave of Zhujiajian; Irrigate the husband's humiliating room.

This man is a prince general, who has heard about neighboring countries and is guilty of a heinous crime. He cannot lead himself to death. In the dust, he integrates the ancient and the modern, and does not disgrace his mission! This statement is courageous and fearful, but also powerful; Force, shape also.

What's strange about the trial? Besides, people can't cut themselves out of the rope ink earlier, just a little late. As for the whip pestle, it's a diversion, so it's not far away! Almost for this reason, ancient people severely punished doctors.

Wives love life and hate death, miss their loved ones and care about their wives. Otherwise, those who are just are forced to do so.

Today's servants are unfortunate, their parents died young, they have no brothers and relatives, and they are single and lonely. How can Shao Qing take his servant as his wife? And the brave don't have to die, and you're afraid of your husband's bravery. Where is it? Although the servant is timid and wants to live, he also knows the difference between going and not going. Why should he indulge in tired humiliation? Moreover, if the husband has captured the male and female concubines, he can still make a decision. What if the servant has to? Therefore, people who live in seclusion in the soil and never give up are disgusted with selfishness, humble and have no world, and their literary talent is not backward.

Ancient people were rich and famous, but they couldn't remember. They are only charming and extraordinary.

Gaspar was arrested and played in Zhouyi; Zhong You wrote Spring and Autumn Annals; Qu Yuan's exile is a tribute to Li Sao. Zuo Qiu is blind and has "Mandarin"; The ruler of the revised version of Sun Tzu's Art of War; It's not Shu, but Lu Lan. Han Fei imprisoned Qin, Difficult and Lonely Anger; Three hundred poems, the underground sages are angry.

This person has a sense of stagnation and can't understand it, so he tells the past and thinks about new people.

But if Zuo Qiu lost his eyes and his grandson broke his foot, he would never be free, so he closed the door and discussed books to solve the problem, thinking about his empty words.

A servant is not as good as a thief. With his incompetent words, he is trapped in the old news, observes his behavior slightly, summarizes his end and records his success or failure.

From Xuanyuan to here, there are ten tables, twelve biographies, eight chapters, thirty families and seventy biographies, with a total of 130 articles.

I also want to know about the changes of ancient and modern times and become a scholar who studies heaven and man.

If grass is not made, it will suffer, and if it is not made, it will be executed undemocratically.

Pucheng once wrote this book "Famous Mountain in Tibet", which was widely known in the city.

That servant will pay for the shame before. Even if he is killed, will he regret it? However, this can be said to the wise, but not to outsiders.

The negative is hard, dirty and slanderous.

Servants encounter this kind of disaster in spoken language and are laughed at and insulted by hardworking villagers. How can they go back to their parents' graves? Although it has been a hundred years, it is very dirty! It is because the intestines are nine times a day that you will suddenly die if you live in them, but when you go out, you don't know where to go.

Every time I think about my shame, I sweat profusely.

It is better to be a boudoir minister than to lead yourself to the evil hidden in the cave. Therefore, from the vulgar ups and downs, with the pitch, through its madness.

Today, Shao Qing is a teaching promoter of sages and scholars. Is it wrong to be selfish with servants? Although I want to carve it myself, it is not conducive to vulgarity, and it is enough to insult my ears if I don't believe it.

I want to die and then decide right or wrong. This book is unintelligible, and it is a bit rough in Chen Gu.

Goodbye.

Third, the source

The original text is long, and the text "Bao Ren An Shu" is excerpted from Hanshu.

Extended data

First, the creative background

Because Historical Records only wrote the early years of Emperor Wu of Han Dynasty, many people wrote sequels for it at that time. According to the records in the Book of Changes, there are more than ten people who wrote the sequel to Historical Records, such as Liu Xiang, Liu Xin, and so on, whose title is still called Historical Records. Ban Gu's father, Ban Biao (AD 3 ~ AD 54), was very dissatisfied with these sequels, so he chose Different Stories about Old Events as Historical Records and Postscript of Sixty-five.

After Ban Biao's death, Ban Gu, who was only 22 years old, began to sort out his father's manuscripts, determined to follow in his father's footsteps and complete this masterpiece.

Letter to Ren An is a reply from Sima Qian, a historian and writer in Han Dynasty, to Ren An, a good friend. In the letter, the author angrily stated his unfortunate experience and expressed his painful feelings that he had to bear the burden of humiliation for the book Historical Records.

Second, the appreciation of works

Narratively, Hanshu is characterized by paying attention to the systematicness and integrity of historical events, and striving to finish everything and explain it clearly. This provides great convenience for us to understand and study the history of the Western Han Dynasty. Up to now, anyone who studies the history of the Western Han Dynasty takes Hanshu as the basic historical data.

Bao Ren An Shu is a rare masterpiece with pungent words and rich feelings, which has extremely important historical value. The structure of the full text is rigorous and orderly, giving consideration to both before and after; Reasoning and narration are integrated, clear and thorough; The language is rich and vivid, and the sentences are long or short, interspersed with antithesis, which makes the article more emotional.

Three. Brief introduction of the author

Ban Gu (AD 32 ~ 92) was the son of Ban Biao, a historian of the Eastern Han Dynasty, and the younger brother of Ban Chao, whose name was Meng Jian, who was born in Fufeng Anling (now Xianyang, Shaanxi). Born in the eighth year of Jianwu, Emperor Guangwu of the Eastern Han Dynasty, he died in the fourth year of Yongyuan in the Eastern Han Dynasty at the age of 6 1 year. Since childhood, Ban Gu has been very clever. "At the age of nine, he could become a writer and recite poems and poems." As an adult, he read widely. "There are nine schools of thought that are all poor." He is the author of six volumes of White Tiger's Theory of Tongde, one hundred and twenty volumes of Hanshu and seventeen volumes of Anthology.

Baidu Encyclopedia-Report Ren Anshu