Chinese Idiom Stories

Treat Each Other With Respect

During the Spring and Autumn Period (770-476 BC), there was a high official in the State of Jin. He once saw a farmer working in the field and his wife bringing his lunch to him in a very respectful manner. He showed great interest in the matter. He took the farmer back to Jin with him, and said to the King of Jin, "Respect is a demonstration of virtue. If one is respectful, he must be virtuous. We should educate our people with virtue." But the King asked, "His father is guilty, is it wise to do so?" He replied, "Guan Zhong had been enemy to the Duke Huan of Qi, but the duke appointed Guan Zhong prime minister and finally accomplished his hegemony. Shun exiled Gun but promoted his son Yu. You just make use of his strong points." At last, Duke Wen took his advice and put the farmer in an important position.

Later, this idiom means a couple treats each other with respect like guests.

相敬如賓

春秋時期,晉國有個大官。有一次他外出,看見一個農夫在田裡幹活,他的妻子很恭敬地給他端上午飯。夫妻之間就像客人一樣,非常客氣。他很感動。他把這個農夫帶到晉王的面前,要求晉王給他封官。他對晉王說:「互相尊重是一種美德。一個品德高尚的人才會待人有禮貌。我們應該培養我們臣民養成這種美德。」晉王說道:「他的父親是個罪人,我們用他合適嗎?」他答道:「管仲曾是齊王的敵人,但齊王后來讓他做了齊國的相國,幫助他完成了霸業。當年舜放逐了鯀卻重用了鯀的兒子禹。你只要利用他的長處就可以了。」最後,晉王聽從了他的話,重用了這個農夫。

後來,人們用「相敬如賓」來表示夫妻之間互相尊重,好像客人一般。


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