A: Metaphorical argumentation, positive and negative comparison, and examples. First of all, it is discussed in a figurative way that "solid foundation" can make the wood grow, "deep source" can make the flow grow, and "moral integrity" can make the country safe. Continue to use metaphors to discuss from the opposite side, and conversely, the country cannot be safe. The second paragraph also takes history as a mirror to demonstrate that we should be prepared for danger in times of peace.
Original text:
Ten thoughts on admonishing Taizong
Dynasty: Tang Dynasty
Author: Wei Zhi
I heard that: the elders who seek wood must be solid; Those who want to flow far away will dig their springs; A man who considers national security will accumulate his morality. The source is not deep, but it flows far. Roots are not solid, but seek the length of wood. Virtue is not thick, governing the country thinks. Although I am stupid, I know it is impossible, but it is wise to assess the situation. When a person is an artifact, he is a big territory, he will worship the rigor of the sky and always guard the boundless rest. Don't think about being prepared for danger in times of peace, abstain from extravagance and thrift, virtue is not thick, and feelings are not desirable. Division also cut the roots to make Muwang, plug the source to flow long. (thinking about the country: looking at the country)
Hundreds of heads of state, bearing the fate of heaven and earth, are all worried, and they are successful and declining. Those who start well are complicated, but those who can resist to the end are few. Is it easy to get but difficult to save? In the past, this was more than enough, but today it is not enough. Why? When my husband is worried about Yin, he will treat him wholeheartedly. If he succeeds, he will indulge in pride. Wholeheartedness is the fusion of wuyue, and pride is the road of flesh and blood. Although Dong Zhi used severe punishment and was furious, he finally avoided it mercilessly, with a respectful face but unconvinced. Resentment is not great, but people are to be feared; You should be careful when transporting a boat and capsizing it. How can the car be dying?
If you are a gentleman, if you can see what you want, you will quit willingly; If you have a job, you will think of people from Zhi Zhi. High-risk is modest and self-grazing; If you are afraid of flooding, you will think of rivers and seas; If you travel by music CD, you will think of three drives; If you are worried about slacking off, start cautiously and end with respect; If you care, you will think modestly and accept it; If you are afraid of evil, just think about it; If you add grace, you will think there is no reason to be happy; If you are punished, you will be punished without anger. Generally speaking, these ten ideas are based on nine virtues, which are simple and capable. Choose good and follow it, the wise do their best, the brave do their best, the benevolent benefit widely, and the believers are loyal. In the civil-military dispute, the monarch and the minister have nothing to do, so they can travel to Henan as much as possible, support Joe's life, and play the piano without saying anything. Why bother to think hard, take over the post, serve the eyes and ears of wisdom, and lose the way of inaction?
Translation:
I heard that if you want a tree to grow tall, you must have a solid foundation; If you want the river to flow forever, you must dredge the source; To stabilize the country, we must accumulate people's hearts. I want rivers to go back to ancient times, but I want trees to grow tall, not morally deep, but I want national stability. Although I am stupid, I know it is impossible, let alone a wise person (such as your majesty). The monarch holds the heavy power of the throne and is in the highest position between heaven and earth. He should (should) respect the majesty of imperial power, always maintain endless beauty and goodness, never be prepared for danger in times of peace, never abstain from extravagance and thrift, and his morality cannot be honest, and his temperament cannot overcome his desires. It's like cutting down the roots of trees and asking them to flourish, blocking the water source and hoping that the water will flow for a long time!
All monarchs and emperors, who undertake the great mission of heaven, are deeply worried and obvious, but once they become famous, their morality will decline. Many of them did well at first, but few of them persisted. Is it difficult to take the world easily and keep it? When I started my business, my ability was more than enough; Why is it successful now, but the ability is insufficient? Generally speaking, in deep worries, we should try our best to treat our deputies sincerely, and then indulge ourselves and treat everyone arrogantly after success; Doing everything in good faith will make hostile countries form an organic whole like Wu. Treat people with arrogance, even flesh and blood relatives can be strangers. Although we can supervise them with severe punishment and shock them with prestige, in the end, everyone just wants to get rid of crime and punishment, but they are ungrateful (the emperor's) benevolence, and they are not convinced by the surface. The resentment is not how big it is, but that the people are terrible; The people can support the emperor and overthrow his rule, and should be deeply guarded. Can it be ignored to control a galloping carriage with decaying reins?
As a gentleman, if you can really do it and see something that interests you, you should think of contentment to alert yourself; When the palace is about to be completed, it is necessary to think about enough is enough to make the people peaceful; Think of the heights that are too cold, don't forget modesty and strengthen moral cultivation; I'm afraid I'm complacent, so I think the reason why rivers and seas are so huge is because I can live under all rivers; When hunting for fun, we should think that the old saying "hunting three times a year" is the limit; When you are worried about your laziness, think of caution from beginning to end; If you are afraid that your eyes and ears will be blocked or covered, you should think of accepting the following opinions with an open mind; Worried about evil people around me, I thought of being honest and repelling evil people; If you give a favor, you should think that there is no inappropriate return because of your preference. Punishment involves thinking about not abusing punishment because of anger: summing up these ten thoughts, expanding the cultivation of these nine virtues, selecting and appointing talents, and selecting talents to adopt. The wise do their best, the brave do their best, the good do their best, the loyal do their loyalty, the civil servants and military officers will be (be) reused, and there is no (worry) between the monarch and the minister. It goes without saying that the people can have children, so why ask instead of acting as officials? It is against the policy of inaction to make smart eyes and ears nervous!