」晏子憱然避位。
Then the king said, “I have heard that the ruler of Qi is not only wicked and proud, but savage and violent as well; yet you are able to tolerate it.
吴王曰：「吾聞齊君蓋賊以慢，野以暴，吾子容焉，何甚也？
」晏子逡巡而對曰：「臣聞之：精事不通，麤事不能者，必勞；大事不得，小事不為者，必貧；大者不能致人，小者不能至人之門者，必困。
What do you find so offensive?” “I have heard,” said Yanzi without the least hesitation, “that those with no understanding of trifling affairs and no ability to perform mundane tasks are sure to tire themselves out; that those unable to perform great tasks and disinclined to perform small ones are sure to suffer poverty; and that those who, in great affairs, are unable to enlist the help of others and, in small affairs, are unable to go to others’ gates to seek assistance are sure to experience difficulties.
此臣之所以仕也。
That is why I have chosen to dedicate myself to service.
如臣，豈能以道食人者哉！
」晏子出，王笑曰：「今日吾譏晏子也，猶裸而訾高橛者。」
How could a person like me presume to instruct others in the Way?” After Yanzi went out, the king laughed and said, “When I made fun of Yanzi today, it was like a naked person jeering at another holding the hem of his robe up high.” Yanzi Refrains from Peeling a Tangerine in the Court of Chu