中國寓言故事雙語版 第75期:物以類聚
Once, Chun Yukun recommended seven able and virtuous scholars to King Xuan of the State of Qi.
一次，厚於凳給齊宣王推薦了七名賢士。
King Xuan was surprised and said: "I heard that talented people are hard to find.
齊宣王覺得奇怪，說: “我聽說，人才是很難得的。
If one able and virtuous scholar can be found within a circumference of 1, 000 li, it cannot be regarded as few.
在一千里方圓以內，能選到一名賢士，就不算少了。
If 100 years witnesses the advent of a saint, it cannot be regarded as few.
一百年以內，能發現一個聖人，也不算少了。
Now you recommend seven able and virtuous scholars all at once, then there are too many able and virtuous scholars."
你一次就推薦了七名賢士，賢士也太多了。”
Chun Yukun said: "Birds of the same feather always flock together. Wild beasts of the same kind always walk together.
淳于凳說:“同類的鳥總是聚集在一起，同類的野獸也總是一道行走。
For example, if we wish to find medicinal herbs like the root of Chinese thorowax and the root of balloonflower on the marsh, we will never find even one in our whole life.
比如說，我們要尋找柴胡和桔梗這類藥草，到沼澤地去找，就是找一輩子也找不到一株。
But if we go to the north side of the Zeshu Mountain and the Liangfu Mountain, we will need carts to carry them back.
但是如果到澤黍山、樑父山的北面去找，那就要用大車去拉了。
In the world, things of the same kind always gather together, and it is the same with people.
天下的事物都是同類相聚的，人也是這樣。
If you want me to select able and virtuous scholars, it will be like getting water from the river, or getting fire from a flint.
你要我淳于凳挑選賢士，就好比到河裏去打水，用火石去打火一樣。
What is so strange about that?
有什麼好奇怪的呢?
I am going to recommend another big batch of able and virtuous scholars to you, far more than these seven."
我正準備再給你推薦一大批賢士，何止這七個呢!”
