中國寓言故事雙語版 第122期:師曠調琴

Ping Gong of Jin ordered someone to make a stringed musical instrument.

晉平公令人制作了一張琴。

The strings of the instrument were of the same size, with no difference between the small strings and the large string.

琴上的弦，粗細一個樣，大弦、小弦沒有區別。

After the instrument was made. Ping Gong of Jin asked Shi Kuang, an official in charge of music, to tune the instrument.

琴製作好以後，晉平公讓樂官師曠來調音。

Shi Kuang spent a whole day doing it, but failed to tune out a melody.

師曠調了一整天，也沒調出個曲調來。

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Ping Gong blamed Shi Kuang for his incompetence. Shi Kuang explained:

晉平公責怪師曠不會凋琴。師曠解釋說:

“The large string of a musical instrument is like the king of a state, and the small strings are like his subordinates.

“一張琴，大弦就好比國君，小弦就好比臣子。

The large string and the small strings have their own functions.

大弦小弦各有各的功能，

Only by coordinating with one another can they compose temperament, and only by being orderly can they play harmonious and pleasant music.

它們彼此配合，才能合成音律。大弦小弦有條不紊，才能奏出和諧悅耳的音樂。

Now there is no difference in size between the large string and the small ruins the system and regularity which they should have.

您現在把琴絃做成大小不分，破壞了它們應有的系統性與規律性。

How can I tune an instrument like this?”

這樣的琴，您讓我怎麼調呀!”