晏子患之,乃為新車良馬,出與人相犯也,曰:「轂擊者不祥。
Yanzi was alarmed at the situation, so he had a new chariot and a fine horse prepared and went out to jostle with the people.
臣其祭祀不順,居處不敬乎?
Then he said to them, “Jostling others with chariot axles is inauspicious.
」下車,棄而去之。
No doubt I have been remiss in the proper performance of sacrifices and have failed to conduct myself reverentially in my daily affairs.” He then got out of his chariot and, leaving it where it was, went elsewhere.
然後國人乃不為。
After this, the people of the state did not jostle each other anymore.
故曰:「禁之以制,而身不先行也,民不肎止。
From this we can see that, when prohibitions are set forth, but those who make them do not first set an example in their own behavior, people will be unwilling to desist.
故化其心莫若教也。」
So, if one wishes to change people’s hearts, nothing is as efficacious as personal instruction. Kongzi Chastises Zigong for Refusing a Reward