《亲士 - Befriending the Learned》
If one does not preserve the learned in a state he will be injuring the state; if one is not zealous（热情的） (to recommend) the virtuous（有德行的） upon seeing one, he will be neglecting the ruler. Enthusiasm is to be shown only to the virtuous, and plans for the country are only to be shared with the learned. Few are those, who, neglecting the virtuous and slighting the learned, could still maintain the existence of their countries.

Formerly Lord Wen was once in exile （放逐）and yet later became the leading （一流的）feudal（封建） lord. Lord Huan was once forced to leave his state and yet later became a "tyrant（霸主）" among the feudal lords. Lord Gou Jian of Yue was once brought under humiliation by the king of Wu, and yet he was later looked upon with awe（敬畏） by the princes（诸侯） of China. The reason that these three men became famous and successful in the world lies in that they were able to endure shame and humiliation within their states. The greatest men know of no defeat. The next greatest turn failure into success, and this, by the employment of the people.
昔者文公出走而正天下，桓公去国而霸诸侯，越王句践遇吴王之丑，而尚摄中国之贤君。三子之能达名成功于天下也，皆于其国抑而大丑也。太上无败，其次败而有以成，此之谓用民。

I have heard it said: It is not that there is no peaceful abode（住所） but that I have no peaceful heart (over others' homelessness); it is not that my wealth is not sufficient but that my passion yearns （渴望）for more (to improve others' conditions). Therefore(因此) the superior （高级的）man is strict with one's self but lenient（仁慈的） with others (in matters of conduct) while the multitude（大众） are lenient with themselves but strict with others. The superior man carries out （实行）his ambitions successfully in action and studies the situation when he is at leisure（赋闲时）. Even when he is taken as a mediocre（平庸的） individual he feels no dissatisfaction. This is because he has self-confidence. Therefore, those who attempt what seems difficult to them will obtain what they desire, but few who aim at what they desire can avoid what they dislike. Therefore, artful （狡猾）ministers（大臣） are harmful to the lord and flattering （谄媚的）subordinates（部属） are injurious to the ruler. The lord should have uncompromising（不妥协） ministers; the ruler should have stern （不动摇的）subordinates. Only when counsel (忠告)is given with farsightedness and advice administered with sternness, can the life of the state be secure and permanent.

If (to the contrary) the subordinates should value their positions and keep silence, the ministers near at hand would be speechless and those far away could only sigh, and the people would become bitter. When the ruler is surrounded with praises and flatteries（恭维） and insulated （隔离）against good counsels（忠告）, then the country is in danger. Was it not because they would not employ the scholars, that Jie and Zhou lost their empire and their lives? Thus it is said : To offer the greatest treasure of the country to the ruler is not as laudable（值得赞扬的） as to recommend the virtuous and introduce the learned.

Among the five weapons the sharpest will be broken first. Among the five swords the keenest（锐利的） will be first worn out（破烂不堪）. The sweet wells （井）become sooner dry and the elegant trees are oftener felled（被砍倒）. The tortoises that are more responsive are oftener burned and the snakes that show more magic power are more sacrificed. Thus, Bi Gan died of his uprightness（正直）; Meng Ben perished（灭亡） by his strength; Xi Shi paid with her life for her beauty; and Wu Qi was torn alive for his achievement. This shows that there are but few who excel （胜过）other people and do not perish on account of it. Hence（因此） the saying: Position of the supreme（至高无上） is hard to keep.