Ping Gong of Jin ordered someone to make a stringed musical instrument. The strings1 of the instrument were of the same size, with no difference between the small strings and the large string.
After the instrument was made. Ping Gong of Jin asked Shi Kuang, an official in charge of music, to tune2 the instrument. Shi Kuang spent a whole day doing it, but failed to tune out a melody.
Ping Gong blamed Shi Kuang for his incompetence3. Shi Kuang explained: "The large string of a musical instrument is like the king of a state, and the small strings are like his subordinates. The large string and the small strings have their own functions. Only by coordinating4 with one another can they compose temperament5, and only by being orderly can they play harmonious6 and pleasant music. Now there is no difference in size between the large string and the small strings. This ruins the system and regularity7 which they should have. How can I tune an instrument like this?"
晋平公令人制作了一张琴。琴上的弦,粗细一个样,大弦、小弦没有区别。
琴制作好以后,晋平公让乐官师旷来调音。师旷调了一整天,也没调出个曲调来。
晋平公责怪师旷不会凋琴。师旷解释说:“一张琴,大弦就好比国君,小弦就好比臣子。大弦小弦各有各的功能,它们彼此配合,才能合成音律。大弦小弦有条不紊,才能奏出和谐悦耳的音乐。您现在把琴弦做成大小不分,破坏了它们应有的系统性与规律性。这样的琴,您让我怎么调呀!”
上一篇: 中国成语故事:按图索骥
下一篇: 中国成语故事:稀世珍琴
国内英语资讯:Daily necessity supplies stable in Hubei, rest of China: official
国际英语资讯:Libyas interior minister says armed groups obstruct security services
为什么被理想学校拒录并非世界末日?
体坛英语资讯:German Vinzenz Geiger wins over Riiber again in Val di Fiemme at Nordic Combined World Cup
国际英语资讯:Cambodia says ASEAN fully confident in Chinas capacity to contain COVID-19
一起加油!多国举行活动 向歧视华人说“不”
国内英语资讯:China issues guideline on resuming work, production amid epidemic control
国际英语资讯:Czech PM blames wealthy EU member states for budget summit failure
国内英语资讯:Xi stresses orderly resumption of work, production
伦敦推出蝙蝠侠主题系列餐厅,哥谭市一日游
体坛英语资讯:Colombia defender Bocanegra joins Paraguays Libertad
国内英语资讯:Xi sends reply letter to U.S. elementary school students
国内英语资讯:Xinhua Headlines-Xi Focus: Xi stresses unremitting efforts in COVID-19 control, coordination
娱乐英语资讯:Feature: Serbia stages concert in support of Wuhan, China
国际英语资讯:2 sons of Egypts ex-president Mubarak acquitted of corruption charges
体坛英语资讯:Iran beat China to win Tokyo Olympic berth of mens volleyball
体坛英语资讯:Gremio boss Renato released from hospital after heart surgery
国内英语资讯:Chinese ambassador hails Egypts support for Chinas fight against coronavirus
国际英语资讯:Trumps national security adviser cautions Taliban against breaking violence reduction deal
国际英语资讯:Chilean govt braced for March protests, says president
国际英语资讯:Nepali people express solidarity with China in combating COVID-19
体坛英语资讯:Flamengo eye move for Lilles Thiago Maia
体坛英语资讯:Uzbekistan scores twice as China exits Olympic tickets competition
美国公司推出新型人造猪肉,不是素的,是真肉
国际英语资讯:Trumps national security adviser denies evidence of Russia helping Trump reelected
【封面故事】莎翁在中国
我们为别人家的猫做了一扇猫门
是什么让你自卑?
速配:为何女性更挑剔?
国内英语资讯:WHO experts travel to Wuhan for COVID-19 investigation