反复探究宋代社会变化的表现明成祖与讲官的对话阅读与翻译
明成祖与讲官的对话探究：《明成祖问讲官》中的文言文表达了君子与小人的区别，揭示了“小人逞才而无耻，君子守道而无欲”的深刻道理。文章中，仁宗在太子时代曾侍侧，而成祖向讲官咨询：“今日说何书？”讲官回答：“《论语》君子小人和同章。”成祖追问：“何以君子难进易退，小人易进难退？”讲官解释：“小人逞才而无耻，君子守道而无欲。”又被询问“何以小人之势常胜？”，讲官回应：“此系上之人好恶，如明主在上，必君子胜矣。”最后，被询问“明主在上，都不用小人乎？”，答曰：“小人果有不可弃者，须常警饬①之，不使有过可也。”
注释：①警饬，即告诫、警惕。
翻译：The dialogue between Emperor Chengzu and the official explores the distinction between a gentleman and a petty man through text from 《Ming Chengzu Asks the Official》. This ancient Chinese text reveals that "the petty man is boastful of his abilities without shame, while the gentleman maintains his principles without desires." In this conversation, Emperor Chengzu inquires about the book being studied, and receives an answer from the official: "It is from Chapter 1 of 'Analects', which discusses both gentlemen and petty men." The emperor then asks why it is difficult for gentlemen to advance but easy for them to retreat, while it is easy for petty men to advance but difficult for them to retreat. The official explains that "the petty man boasts of his abilities without shame, while the gentleman maintains his principles without desires." When asked why petty men often prevail despite their flaws, he responds that it depends on who holds power: when a wise leader rules, virtues will triumph over vices. Finally, when questioned whether a wise ruler would ever employ such individuals (petty men), he replies: "Petty men may possess qualities worth retaining; one must always remind them lest they commit errors."
练习：
Interpret words underlined in red.
(a) 成祖顾问讲官（）
(b) 君子守道而无欲（）
Explain these lines using modern language.
Why are “petty people” easily promoted but hard to dismiss?
Confucius advocated avoiding unvirtuous people in his work “Outlines of Lü's Springs and Autumns”. However, this text suggests that even unvirtuous individuals can be useful sometimes. Which viewpoint do you agree with? Please explain your reasoning.
Answer:
1.
(a) Look
(b) Morality
Petty people indeed have talents worth preserving; one must constantly advise them so as not to make mistakes.
Because they flaunt their skills with no sense of shame.
Confidence comes through understanding reasons behind actions
