孫叔敖正衣冠而出見之，謂老父曰：「楚王不知臣不肖，使臣受吏民之垢，人盡來賀，子獨後來弔，豈有說乎？
An old man dressed in coarse fabric and wearing a white headdress came after the others in order to offer him condolences.
Sun Shu Ao set his clothing to rights and went out to meet the old man, to whom he said, “Knowing nothing of my unworthiness, the king of Chu has ordered me to endure the shame of an administrative appointment.
」父曰：「有說。
Everyone came to congratulate me; you alone have come afterward to offer me condolences.
身已貴而驕人者，民去之；位已高而擅權者，君惡之；祿已厚而不知足者，患處之。
You must surely have some views to express.” “I do,” said the old man. “One who treats others haughtily upon obtaining noble rank will be expelled by the people.
One who arrogates power to himself upon obtaining high position will be hated by his ruler.
」孫叔敖再拜曰：「敬受命，願聞餘教。
One who is never satisfied even though his stipend is handsome will be visited with disaster.” Bowing twice, Sun Shu Ao said, “I accept your commands with reverence.
」父曰：「位已高而意益下，官益大而心益小，祿已厚而慎不敢取，君謹守此三者，足以治楚矣。」
I would like to hear more of your teachings.” The old man said, “Your humility must increase with the height of your position; your desires must diminish with the magnitude of your office; and you must be ever more cautious and reluctant to accept gifts as your stipend swells.
If you are able to observe these three rules, you will have the traits that are necessary to rule Chu.