18 Shiji 81 《史記》-廉頗藺相如列傳
《廉頗藺相如列傳》
1. 廉頗者,趙之良將也。趙惠文王十六年,廉頗為趙將伐齊,大破之,取陽晉,拜為上卿,以勇氣聞於諸侯。 藺相如者,趙人也,為趙宦者令繆賢舍人.
(81.1)
| 廉頗 | Lián Pō | (name of a person) |
| 趙 | Zhào | (name of a state) |
| 良 | liáng | good |
| 將 | jiàng | general |
| 惠文王 | huì wén wáng | King Hui Wen of Zhao (r. from BCE 299 to 266 ) |
| 年 | nián | year |
| 破 | pò | to defeat, to destroy |
| 陽晉 | yáng jìn | (name of a place) |
| 拜 | bài | to ceremoniously appoint |
| 上卿 | shàng qīng | high minister |
| 勇氣 (气) | yǒng qì | bravery, brave spirit |
| 聞(闻) | wén | to hear of, to know by reputation |
| 藺相如 | Lìn Xiàngrú | |
| 宦 | huàn | eunuch |
| 宦者令 | huàn zhě lìng | Head of the Eunuchs |
| 繆賢 | Miào Xián | |
| 諸侯 | zhū hóu | the feudal lords |
2. 趙惠文王時,得楚和氏璧。秦昭王聞之,使人遺趙王書,願以十五城請易璧。趙王與大將軍廉頗諸大臣謀: 欲予秦,秦城恐不可得,徒見欺;欲勿予,即患秦兵之來。計未定,求人可使報秦者,未得。宦者令繆賢曰:“臣舍人藺相如可使。” 王問:“何以知之?” 對曰: “臣嘗有罪,竊計欲亡走燕,臣舍人相如止臣,曰:‘君何以知燕王?’ 臣語曰:‘臣嘗從大王與燕王會境上,燕王私握臣手,曰 “願結友”。以此知之,故欲 往。’ 相如謂臣曰:‘夫趙彊而燕弱,而君幸於趙王,故燕王欲結於君。今君乃亡趙走燕,燕畏趙,其勢必不敢留君,而束君歸趙矣。君不如肉袒伏斧質請罪,則幸 得脫矣。’ 臣從其計,大王亦幸赦臣。臣竊以為其人勇士,有智謀,宜可使。” 於是王召見,問藺相如曰:“秦王以十五城請易寡人之璧,可予不?” 相如曰:“秦 彊而趙弱,不可不許。” 王曰:“取吾璧,不予我城,柰何?” 相如曰:“秦以城求璧而趙不許,曲在趙。趙予璧而秦不予趙城,曲在秦。均之二策,寧許以負秦 曲。”王曰:“誰可使者?” 相如曰:“王必無人,臣願奉璧往使。城入趙而璧留秦;城不入,臣請完璧歸趙。” 趙王於是遂遣相如奉璧西入秦。
2. 赵惠文王时,得楚和氏璧。秦昭王闻之,使人遗赵王书,愿以十五城请易璧。赵王与大将军廉颇诸大臣谋: 欲予秦,秦城恐不可得,徒见欺;欲勿予,即患秦兵之来。计未定,求人可使报秦者,未得。宦者令缪贤曰:“臣舍人蔺相如可使。” 王问:“何以知之?” 对曰: “臣尝有罪,窃计欲亡走燕,臣舍人相如止臣,曰:‘君何以知燕王?’ 臣语曰:‘臣尝从大王与燕王会境上,燕王私握臣手,曰 “愿结友”。以此知之,故欲 往。’ 相如谓臣曰:‘夫赵强而燕弱,而君幸于赵王,故燕王欲结于君。今君乃亡赵走燕,燕畏赵,其势必不敢留君,而束君归赵矣。君不如肉袒伏斧质请罪,则幸 得脱矣。’ 臣从其计,大王亦幸赦臣。臣窃以为其人勇士,有智谋,宜可使。” 于是王召见,问蔺相如曰:“秦王以十五城请易寡人之璧,可予不?” 相如曰:“秦 强而赵弱,不可不许。” 王曰:“取吾璧,不予我城,柰何?” 相如曰:“秦以城求璧而赵不许,曲在赵。赵予璧而秦不予赵城,曲在秦。均之二策,宁许以负秦 曲。”王曰:“谁可使者?” 相如曰:“王必无人,臣愿奉璧往使。城入赵而璧留秦;城不入,臣请完璧归赵。” 赵王于是遂遣相如奉璧西入秦。
(81.2)
| 和氏 | Hé Shì | Master He (discoverer of the famous jade) |
| 璧 | bì | jade disk |
| 使 | shǐ | to send (someone) on a mission / To serve as a messenger |
| 遺 | wèi | to present [c.f. yí, to lose] |
| 書 | shū | letter |
| 請 | qǐng | to beg |
| 易 | yì | to exchange |
| 大將軍 | dà jiāng jūn | supreme commander |
| 大臣 | dà chén | senior minister |
| 予 | yǔ | to give |
| 欺 | qī | to cheat |
| 勿 | wù | don’t; not |
| 卽 (即) | jí | then [equivalent of 則] |
| 定 | dìng | to decide |
| 報 (报) | bào | to reply, to respond, to repay |
| 何以 | hé yǐ | how? |
| 嘗 (尝) | cháng | once (in the past) |
| 竊 | qiè | I (humble); personally, private |
| 計 | jì | to plan |
| 語 | yǔ | to tell; to speak |
| 從 | zòng cóng | to attend on [c.f. cóng: to follow] |
| 會 | huì | to meet (by arrangement) |
| 境 | jìng | border, frontier |
| 私 | sī | secret; secretly |
| 握 | wò | to grasp, to squeeze |
| 結 | jié | to join, to tie |
| 友 | yǒu | friend |
| 交 | jiāo | intercourse |
| 彊 | qiáng | strong [alternative form of 強] |
| 弱 | ruò | weak |
| 幸 | xìng | to favor |
| 乃 | nǎi | however |
| 勢 | shì | circumstances |
| 其勢 | qí shì | under these circumstances |
| 留 | liú | to keep |
| 束 | shù | to bind |
| 不如 | bù rú | it is better to |
| 肉袒 | ròu tǎn | with upper body stripped bare |
| 伏斧質 | fú fǔ zhì | to submit to executioner’s axe |
| 請罪 | qǐng zuì | to beg forgiveness for crime |
| 幸 | xìng | with luck |
| 脫 | tuō | to get off |
| 赦 | shè | to pardon |
| 從 | cóng | to follow, to carry out |
| 亦 | yì | also, indeed [emphatic usage] |
| 智 | zhì | wisdom, intelligence |
| (謀) 谋 | móu | resourcefulness |
| 宜 | yí | suitable |
| 不 | fǒu | or not [u.f. 否] |
| (許) 许 | xǚ | to agree, to permit |
| 奈何 | nài hé | what to do about it? [柰nài is alt. form of 奈] |
| 曲 | qǖ | wrongdoing; to blame |
| 均 | jūn | to weigh |
| 之 | zhī | these; this; it |
| 策 | cè | plan |
| 寧 (宁) | nìng | rather |
| (負) 负 | fù | to bear; to cause to bear |
| 必 | bì | definitely, |
| 奉 | fèng | to take up |
| 完 | wán | complete; intact |
| (歸) 归 | guī | to restore |
| 遣 | qiǎn | to send |
3. 秦王坐章臺見相如,相如奉璧奏秦王。秦王大喜,傳以示美人及左右,左右皆呼萬歲。相如視秦王無意償趙 城,乃前曰:“璧有瑕,請指示王。”王授璧,相如因持璧卻立,倚柱,怒髪上衝冠,謂秦王曰:“大王欲得璧,使人發書至趙王,趙王悉召群臣議,皆曰 ‘秦貪, 負其彊,以空言求璧,償城恐不可得’。議不欲予秦璧。臣以為布衣之交尚不相欺,況大國乎!且以一璧之故逆彊秦之驩,不可。於是趙王乃齋戒五日,使臣奉璧, 拜送書於庭。何者? 嚴大國之威以修敬也。今臣至,大王見臣列觀,禮節甚倨;得璧,傳之美人,以戲弄臣。臣觀大王無意償趙王城邑,故臣復取璧。大王必欲急 臣,臣頭今與璧俱碎於柱矣!” 相如持其璧睨柱,欲以擊柱。秦王恐其破璧,乃辭謝固請,召有司案圖,指從此以往十五都予趙。相如度秦王特以詐詳為予趙城,實 不可得,乃謂秦王曰:“和氏璧,天下所共傳寶也,趙王恐,不敢不獻。趙王送璧時,齋戒五日,今大王亦宜齋戒五日,設九賓於廷,臣乃敢上璧。”秦王度之,終 不可彊奪,遂許齋五日,舍相如廣成傳。相如度秦王雖齋,決負約不償城,乃使其從者衣褐,懷其璧,從徑道亡,歸璧于趙。
3.秦王坐章台见相如,相如奉璧奏秦王。秦王大喜,传以示美人及左右,左右皆呼万岁。相如视秦王无意偿赵 城,乃前曰:“璧有瑕,请指示王。”王授璧,相如因持璧却立,倚柱,怒髪上冲冠,谓秦王曰:“大王欲得璧,使人发书至赵王,赵王悉召群臣议,皆曰 ‘秦贪, 负其强,以空言求璧,偿城恐不可得’。议不欲予秦璧。臣以为布衣之交尚不相欺,况大国乎!且以一璧之故逆强秦之欢,不可。于是赵王乃斋戒五日,使臣奉璧, 拜送书于庭。何者? 严大国之威以修敬也。今臣至,大王见臣列观,礼节甚倨;得璧,传之美人,以戏弄臣。臣观大王无意偿赵王城邑,故臣复取璧。大王必欲急 臣,臣头今与璧俱碎于柱矣!” 相如持其璧睨柱,欲以击柱。秦王恐其破璧,乃辞谢固请,召有司案图,指从此以往十五都予赵。相如度秦王特以诈详为予赵城,实 不可得,乃谓秦王曰:“和氏璧,天下所共传宝也,赵王恐,不敢不献。赵王送璧时,斋戒五日,今大王亦宜斋戒五日,设九宾于廷,臣乃敢上璧。”秦王度之,终 不可强夺,遂许斋五日,舍相如广成传。相如度秦王虽斋,决负约不偿城,乃使其从者衣褐,怀其璧,从径道亡,归璧于赵。
(81.3)
| 章臺 | Zhāng Tái | (name of pleasure palace) |
| 奏 | zòu | to offer to a superior |
| 傳 | chuán | to pass on |
| 示 | shì | to show |
| 美 | měi | beautiful |
| 美人 | měi rén | (title of royal concubine) |
| 及 | jí | and [between nouns] |
| 呼 | hū | to shout |
| 萬 | wàn | ten thousand |
| 歲 | suì | year of life; year |
| 視 | shì | to see |
| 意 | yì | intention |
| 償 (偿) | cháng | to give something in exchange; to indemnify |
| 瑕 | xiá | flaw |
| 授 | shòu | to hand |
| 卻 | què | to withdraw |
| 立 | lì | to stand, to stop |
| 倚 | yǐ | to lean against |
| 柱 | zhù | pillar |
| 髪 | fǎ | hair |
| 衝 | chōng | to strike against |
| 發書 | fā shū | to send a letter |
| 悉 | xī | all |
| 群 | qún | [noun prefix indicating number] |
| 議 | yì | to deliberate |
| 貪 | tān | greedy |
| 負 | fù | to rely on |
| 空 | kōng | empty |
| 言 | yán | words |
| 以為 | yǐ wéi | to take to be, to consider |
| 布 | bù | cloth |
| 布衣 | bù yī | commonder |
| 況 | kuàng | how much the less (or more) |
| 國 | guó | state |
| 且 | qiě | moreover; to be about to; and |
| 驩 | huān | goodwill, friendship [alt. form of 歡] |
| 齋 | zhāi | to fast |
| 戒 | jiè | to observe prohibitions |
| 拜 | bài | to bow |
| 送 | sòng | to offer; to see off |
| 庭 | tíng | court |
| 嚴 | yán | to solemnify |
| 威 | wēi | dignity, majesty |
| 修 | xiū | to cultivate, to enhance |
| 敬 | jìng | respect |
| 觀 | guàn | palace |
| 禮節 | lǐ jié | manners, ceremonial forms |
| 甚 | shèn | very; extreme |
| 倨 | jù | overbearing |
| 戲 | xì | to play |
| 戲弄 | xì nòng | to make fun of |
| 城邑 | chéng yì | towns |
| 急 | jí | to press |
| 碎 | suì | to smash to bits |
| 睨 | nì | to look sideways at |
| 破 | pò | to break |
| 辭謝 | cí xiè | to apologize |
| 固 | gù | earnestly |
| 有司 | yǒu sī | the responsible officers |
| 案 | àn | desk; to consult |
| 圖 | tú | map |
| 以往 | yǐ wǎng | (from)…onward |
| 都 | dū | city |
| 特 | tè | only |
| 詐 | zhà | to cheat |
| 詐 | zhà | false words |
| 詳為 | yáng wéi | to pretend [c.f. yáng with xiáng details. yáng, to pretend, is also written 佯] |
| 實 | shí | really |
| 共 | gòng | together, commonly |
| 傳 | chuán | |
| 寶 | bǎo | jewel, treasure |
| 九賓 | jiǔ bīn | |
| 上 | shàng | to offer to a superior |
| 彊 | qiáng | by force |
| 舍 | shè | to lodge |
| 廣成 | Guǎng chéng | (name of a hostel) |
| 傳舍 | chuán shè | (hostel for officials) |
| 決 | jué | definitely |
| 負 | fù | to repudiate |
| 約 | yuē | agreement |
| 褐 | hè | coarse clothing |
| 徑道 | jìng dào | bypath |
4. 秦王齋五日後,乃設九賓禮於廷,引趙使者藺相如。相如至,謂秦王曰:“秦自繆公以來二十餘君,未嘗有 堅明約束者也。臣誠恐見欺於王而負趙,故令人持璧歸,閒至趙矣。且秦彊而趙弱,大王遣一介之使至趙,趙立奉璧來。今以秦之彊而先割十五都予趙,趙豈敢留璧而得罪於大王乎?臣知欺大王之罪當誅,臣請就湯鑊,唯大王與群臣孰計議之。” 秦王與群臣相視而嘻。左右或欲引相如去,秦王因曰:“今殺相如,終不能得璧也,而絕秦趙之驩,不如因而厚遇之,使歸趙,趙王豈以一璧之故欺秦邪!” 卒廷見相如,畢禮而歸之。
4. 秦王斋五日后,乃设九宾礼于廷,引赵使者蔺相如。相如至,谓秦王曰:“秦自缪公以来二十余君,未尝有 坚明约束者也。臣诚恐见欺于王而负赵,故令人持璧归,间至赵矣。且秦强而赵弱,大王遣一介之使至赵,赵立奉璧来。今以秦之强而先割十五都予赵,赵岂敢留璧而得罪于大王乎?臣知欺大王之罪当诛,臣请就汤镬,唯大王与群臣孰计议之。” 秦王与群臣相视而嘻。左右或欲引相如去,秦王因曰:“今杀相如,终不能得璧也,而绝秦赵之欢,不如因而厚遇之,使归赵,赵王岂以一璧之故欺秦邪!” 卒廷见相如,毕礼而归之。
(81.4)
| 後 | hòu | after |
| 設 | shè | to set up |
| 引 | yǐn | to bring up |
| 繆公 | Mù Gōng | Duke Mu of Qin (r. BCE 659-621) |
| 以來 | yǐ lái | (from)…up to the present |
| 未嘗 | wèi cháng | never in the past, not once |
| 堅 | jiān | firm |
| 堅明 | jiān míng | to observe strictly |
| 約束 | yuē shù | covenant |
| 負 | fù | to let down, to betray |
| 間(间) | jiàn | secretly [c.f. xian, idle] |
| 一介 | yī jiè | single |
| 立 | lì | immediately |
| 以…而 | ||
| 割 | gē | to cut off |
| 得罪於 | dé zuì yú | to offend |
| 當 | dāng | to deserve |
| 就 | jiù | to go to |
| 湯 | tāng | boiling water |
| 鑊 | huò | pot, cauldron |
| 唯 | wéi | (I) suggest, (I) wish |
| 孰 | shú | maturely [u.f. 熱] |
| 計議 | jì yì | to deliberate |
| 嘻 | xī | to grimace (in annoyance or surprise) |
| 絕 | jué | to sever |
| 因 | yīn | to use (the occasion) |
| 厚 | hòu | generously |
| 遇 | yù | to treat |
| 畢 | bì | to finish, to complete |
5. 相如既歸,趙王以為賢大夫使不辱於諸侯,拜相如為上大夫。秦亦不以城予趙,趙亦終不予秦璧。
5. 相如既归,赵王以为贤大夫使不辱于诸侯,拜相如为上大夫。秦亦不以城予赵,赵亦终不予秦璧。
(81.5)
| 既 | jì | after [conjunction]; already |
| 辱 | rǔ | to disgrace, to shame |
| 諸侯 | zhū hóu | the feudal lords |
| 上大夫 | shàng dà fū | high officer |
6. 其後秦伐趙,拔石城。明年,復攻趙,殺二萬人。
6. 其后秦伐赵,拔石城。明年,复攻赵,杀二万人。
(81.6)
| 拔 | bá | to take by force |
| 石城 | shíchéng | (name of a place) |
| 明 | míng | next |
| 明年 | míng nián | the following year |
7. 秦王使使者告赵王,欲与王为好会于西河外渑池。赵王畏秦,欲毋行。廉颇、蔺相如计曰:“王不行,示赵 弱且怯也。” 赵王遂行,相如从。廉颇送至境,与王诀曰:“王行,度道里会遇之礼毕,还,不过三十日。三十日不还,则请立太子为王。以绝秦望。” 王许之,遂 与秦王会渑池。秦王饮酒酣,曰:“寡人窃闻赵王好音,请奏瑟。” 赵王鼓瑟。秦御史前书曰 “某年月日,秦王与赵王会饮,令赵王鼓瑟”。蔺相如前曰:“赵王窃 闻秦王善为秦声,请奏盆缻秦王,以相娱乐。”秦王怒,不许。于是相如前进缻,因跪请秦王。秦王不肯击缻。相如曰:“五步之内,相如请得以颈血溅大王矣!” 左右欲刃相如,相如张目叱之,左右皆靡。于是秦王不怿,为一击缻。相如顾召赵御史书曰 “某年月日,秦王为赵王击缻”。 秦之群臣曰: “请以赵十五城为秦王 寿”。 蔺相如亦曰:“请以秦之咸阳为赵王寿。” 秦王竟酒,终不能加胜于赵。赵亦盛设兵以待秦,秦不敢动。
(81.7)
| 使 | shì | emissary [c.f. shǐ] |
| 為好 | wéi hào | to establish friendly relations |
| 西河 | Xī Hé | West River, i.e. Yellow River |
| 外 | wài | outside, beyond |
| 澠池 | Miǎn Chí | (name of a place) |
| 毋 | wú | don’t; not |
| 且 | qiě | and [connecting adjectives] |
| 怯 | qiè | cowardly |
| 訣 | jué | to say farewell |
| 道里 | dào lǐ | journey |
| 會遇 | huì yù | to meet |
| 過 | guò | to exceed |
| 立 | lì | to set up, to establish |
| 太子 | tài zǐ | Crown Prince |
| 望 | wàng | hopes, ambitions |
| 酣 | hān | flushed with wine |
| 好 | hào | to like, to be fond of, good |
| 音 | yīn | music |
| 奏 | zòu | to play |
| 瑟 | sè | (ancient stringed instrument) |
| 鼓 | gǔ | to strum, to play |
| 御史 | yù shǐ | official recorder |
| 書 | shū | to write |
| 某 | mǒu | such-and-such (omitting precise details) |
| 月 | yuè | month |
| 善 | shàn | to be good at; good |
| 聲 | shēng | tunes |
| 奏 | zòu | (read as 奉 fèng) |
| 盆 | pén | basin, pot |
| 缶 | fǒu | earthenware, wine pot |
| 娛樂 | yú lè | divert, give pleasure |
| 進 | jìn | to present |
| 跪 | guì | to kneel |
| 肯 | kěn | willing |
| 擊 | jī | to strike, to play |
| 步 | bù | pace |
| 內 | nèi | inside |
| 得 | dé | to be able |
| 濺 | jiàn | to splash |
| 刃 | rèn | to cut down |
| 張 | zhāng | (to open wide) |
| 目 | mù | eyes |
| 張目 | zhāng mù | to glare |
| 叱 | chì | to berate; to roar at |
| 靡 | mí | to fall back |
| 懌 | yì | pleased |
| 一 | yī | once; one; the first |
| 壽 | shòu | birthday gift; longevity |
| 咸陽 | Xián Yang | (Qin Capital) |
| 竟 | jìng | to finish |
| 加 | jiā | to gain |
| 勝 | shèng | victory |
| 盛 | shèng | plentiful |
8. 既罷歸國,以相如功大,拜為上卿,位在廉頗之右。廉頗曰:“我為趙將,有攻城野戰之大功,而藺相如徒以口舌為勞,而位居我上,且相如素賤人,吾羞,不忍為 之下。” 宣言曰:“我見相如,必辱之。” 相如聞,不肯與會。相如每朝時,常稱病,不欲與廉頗爭列。已而相如出,望見廉頗,相如引車避匿。於是舍人相與諫 曰:“臣所以去親戚而事君者,徒慕君之高義也。今君與廉頗同列,廉君宣惡言而君畏匿之,恐懼殊甚,且庸人尚羞之,況於將相乎!臣等不肖,請辭去。” 藺相如固止之,曰:“公之視廉將軍孰與秦王?” 曰:“不若也。” 相如曰:“夫以秦王之威,而相如廷叱之,辱其群臣,相如雖駑,獨畏廉將軍哉? 顧吾念之,彊秦之所 以不敢加兵於趙者,徒以吾兩人在也。今兩虎共鬬 ,其勢不俱生。吾所以為此者,以先國家之急而後私讎也。” 廉頗聞之,肉袒負荊,因賓客至藺相如門謝罪。曰: “鄙賤之人,不知將軍寬之至此也。” 卒相與驩,為刎頸之交。
8. 既罢归国,以相如功大,拜为上卿,位在廉颇之右。廉颇曰:“我为赵将,有攻城野战之大功,而蔺相如徒以口舌为劳,而位居我上,且相如素贱人,吾羞,不忍为 之下。” 宣言曰:“我见相如,必辱之。” 相如闻,不肯与会。相如每朝时,常称病,不欲与廉颇争列。已而相如出,望见廉颇,相如引车避匿。于是舍人相与谏 曰:“臣所以去亲戚而事君者,徒慕君之高义也。今君与廉颇同列,廉君宣恶言而君畏匿之,恐惧殊甚,且庸人尚羞之,况于将相乎!臣等不肖,请辞去。” 蔺相如固止之,曰:“公之视廉将军孰与秦王?” 曰:“不若也。” 相如曰:“夫以秦王之威,而相如廷叱之,辱其群臣,相如虽驽,独畏廉将军哉? 顾吾念之,强秦之所 以不敢加兵于赵者,徒以吾两人在也。今两虎共斗 ,其势不俱生。吾所以为此者,以先国家之急而后私仇也。” 廉颇闻之,肉袒负荆,因宾客至蔺相如门谢罪。曰: “鄙贱之人,不知将军宽之至此也。” 卒相与欢,为刎颈之交。
(81.8)
| 罷 | bà | to finish |
| 功 | gōng | merit |
| 位 | wèi | position |
| 野 | yě | countryside |
| 戰 | zhàn | to fight |
| 口 | kǒu | mouth |
| 舌 | shé | tongue |
| 勞 | láo | achievement; labor |
| 賤 | jiàn | base, low |
| 忍 | rěn | to bear |
| 宣 | xuān | to announce; to put out |
| 每 | měi | each; each time |
| 朝 | cháo | to go to court |
| 常 | cháng | regularly, always |
| 稱 | chēng | to claim, to declare |
| 病 | bìng | sick |
| 已而 | yǐ ér | before long |
| 引 | yǐn | to withdraw |
| 避 | bì | to avoid |
| 親戚 | qīn qi | relatives |
| 事 | shì | to serve; affairs |
| 慕 | mù | to admire |
| 惡 | è | evil [c.f. wù: to hate] |
| 懼(惧) | jù | to fear |
| 殊 | shū | very, really; especially |
| 殊甚 | shū shèn | extreme |
| 庸 | yōng | common, ordinary |
| 尚 | shàng | even |
| 不肖 | bù xiào | unworthy, unfilial;lit: “unlike [one’s forefathers] |
| 辭 | cí | to take leave of |
| 孰與 | shú yǔ | how does (one) compare with? |
| 不若 | bù ruò | not as good as |
| 駑 | nú | weak, feeble |
| 獨 | dú | how? (rhetorical) alone |
| 顧 | gù | but, however |
| 念 | niàn | to consider, to be concerned about |
| 以 | yǐ | because, on account of |
| 加 | jiā | to apply |
| 鬬 (斗) | dòu | to fight |
| 急 | jí | urgent; crisis |
| 私 | sī | private |
| 讎 (仇) | chóu | vengeance [c.f. 仇 chóu] |
| 負荊 | fù jīng | to bear a thornwood rod on one’s back (a symbol of contrition) |
| 因 | yīn | to go through (by the introduction of) |
| 謝 | xiè | to apologize |
| 鄙 | bǐ | low, base |
| 寬 | kuān | magnanimous |
| 刎 | wěn | to cut (throat) |