朋友e-mail給我,這篇網路上的文章，非常喜歡它。因此把它翻成英文放在 愛永不止息loveneverending與唸英文的讀者分享。
 在這裡把中英文同時放上與大家分享。（網上很多版本,原文作者不詳）

言宜慢，心宜善

西元前77年春，正逢大漢盛世。山東昌邑太平樓酒肆內，一個年輕人自斟自飲，眉宇間，隱現憂思。

　　這位年輕人姓王名吉，本是雲陽縣令，三個月前，被調到昌邑王府中擔任中尉，可謂“平步青雲”。可是，這位昌邑王劉賀身邊聚集的全是一些溜鬚拍馬的小人。胸中抱負不展，王吉只能借酒澆愁。

　 　他忽然發現，鄰桌有一位老者正微笑舉杯向他示意。王吉連忙趨身請教。兩人談詩論史，一見如故。老者試探問道：“小友似有心事？”王吉便將煩惱告之，老者 說：“我送你三個字，可以保你從此順順暢暢。”“哪三個字？”王吉滿臉疑惑。“言——宜——慢！”老者道出這三個字，飄然而去。

　　從那以 後，王吉謹記老者教誨，勤于政務，三思而後言。在暗流湧動的昌邑王府中，數次均有驚無險。由於低調與勤政，王吉任命為諫議大夫，成了朝中重臣。西元前67 年，王吉回故鄉琅琊省親，又路過昌邑城。忽然，有位老者自稱是王吉的故人，擋在了官道中間。王吉走下官轎一看竟是十年前那位老者。老者對王吉說：“十年 前，我送你三個字，已經保你十年通暢。今天，我再送你三個字，可以保你一世無憂。”

　　王吉輕聲問老者：“哪三個字？”老人說：“心宜善！”王吉心中一震，背上冷汗淋漓。自己擔任諫議大夫這些年來，雖然總體來說王吉還是能勤政為民，但是偶爾黨同伐異，彈劾政敵。

　　省親歸來，王吉就像變了一個人似的，不管什麼事，都嚴格要求自己。清正廉明，仁慈寬厚。最終，成為西漢的一代名臣。據後人傳說，那位老者，漢武帝時著名宰相公孫弘，隱居於昌邑。

　 　“言宜慢，心宜善。”這句話從此就被王吉列為王氏家規代代相傳。自東漢至明清，這一千七百多年間，王吉的後人中，《二十四史》中有明確記載的，就有36 人被封為皇后，35人成為駙馬，35人擔任宰相！琅琊王氏，也因此成為中國歷史上最為顯赫的家族，被稱為中華第一望族！

http://www.lovethispic.com/image/230685/slow-to-speak

Before 77 B.C. the Han dynasty experienced many prosperous years. In the province of Shandong, one young boy was drinking by himself in a bar, the wrinkles on his forehead giving away his worried thoughts. Named Wong, he was the county mayor and had recently been promoted to a higher position. However, he was worried about what his new job might require of him.

An elderly man sat at the table next to him and moved over to speak to Mr. Wong. The two started to converse, and it was as though they had known each other their whole lives. The elder asked him, “Are you troubled? You look quite unhappy.” Mr. Wong told him about his worries, and the elder said, “I will give you three words to help you.” Mr. Wong was puzzled and asked, “What are those three words?” The elder replied, “Slow to speak.” Then the man left.

After the encounter, Mr. Wong kept the three words in mind. Every time something came up, he would think for a long time before he spoke out. Even though there was much turbulence in his work, Wong passed through it safely thanks to the man’s words. He was humble and worked hard, and was gradually moved to higher and higher positions. Ten years later, Mr. Wong returned home. He passed by the same city and met the elder. The man told him, “I gave you three words ten years ago. Those three words helped you for ten years, and now, I will give you some more words. These words will help you to be free of worry for the rest of your life.” Mr. Wong whispered, “What are they?” The man replied, “Be kind toward others.” When Mr. Wong heard the words, he was shocked. A cold sweat enveloped him. For so many years, he had worked hard and been very humble, but he had forgotten to be fair and kind to others. That’s why these words struck him.

www.youtube.com Ligia’s Message: The Power of Being Kind to Others

He seemed like a different person after he had come back from visiting his hometown. No matter what he did, he kept examining his behavior to make sure he was fair and kind to the people. In the end, he became a very famous figure in the Han dynasty.

Be slow to speak and kind toward others. Those words became Mr. Wong’s mantra and had been passed on for many generations. From the Han dynasty to the Ming dynasty, his family has boasted 36 queens and 36 prince consorts. 35 held the high position of prime minister, right under the emperor. The Wong family became the most famous lineage in China.

By slowing to speak, we will definitely make fewer mistakes because we have given ourselves time to think before we open our month. Plus, we show our respect and passion to the other party when we speak slowly. Likewise, if we are kind to the others, we will most likely receive the same treatment in turn. What a precious gift Mr. Wong received from the old man. What a blessing for me to have the chance to read this story! Maybe I too can take these sentences “Be Slow to Speak and Kind toward Others” as my mantra.