史疾为韩使楚
On Behalf of Han, Shi Ji Was on a Diplomatic Mission in Chu
【原文】
史疾为韩使楚，楚王问曰客何方所循？ ”曰治列子圉寇之言。” 曰：“何贵？ ”曰：“贵正王曰：“正亦可为国乎？’’曰可王曰楚国多 盗，正可以圉盗乎？ ”曰可,曰以正圉盗，奈何？ ”顷间，有鹊止于屋上者，曰：“请问楚人谓此鸟何？ ”王曰：“谓之鹊。”谓之乌可乎？ ”曰:“不可。”曰今王之国，有柱国、令尹、司马、典令，其任官置吏，必曰廉 洁胜任。今盗贼公行而弗能禁也，此乌不为乌、鹊不为鹊也
【今译】
史疾为韩国出使楚国，楚王问他客人研究的是哪门道术？”史疾 回答说我研究的是列子关于抵御敌寇的学说。”楚王问您崇尚什 么？”史疾说我崇尚正名,”楚王问广正名也可以用来治理国家吗？”史 疾说可以楚王说楚国盗贼猖辍，正名可以制止行窃吗？”史疾说： “可以.’楚王问：“通过正名来制止行窃，怎么办呢？"过了一会儿，有一只喜鹊飞来落到房顶上，史疾说请问楚国人怎么称呼这种鸟？ ”楚王 说广叫它喜鹊。”史疾问叫它乌鸦可以吗？”楚王说不可以。”史疾 说：“如今大王的国家，有柱国、令尹、司马、典令，任命高官、设置官吏， 一定强调廉洁胜任。如今盗贼公然行窃而不能制止，这就是鸟鸦不是 乌鸦、喜鹊不是喜鹊啊.
On behalf of the state of Han, Shi Ji was on a diplomatic mission in the state of Chu. The king of Chu asked him， ‘‘What’s your field of expertise?” “ I have studied Liezi's thoughts on counterattacking enemies, " “ What's your favourite pa"? “I prefer the thoughts on correct names.” “Can the thoughts on correct names be used in governing a state?”“ Yes, they can. There are a lot of thieves in my state. Can the thoughts on correct names be used to stop pilferage?” “ Yes，they can. ” “ How can the thoughts on correct names be used to stop pilferage?”At that moment，a magpie perched on the top of a building. Shi Ji asked the king，“Would you please tell me what the people of Chu call this kind of bird?” “We call it magpie“ Can it be called crow?”‘‘No，it cannot be called crow,”“Now in your state， you have designated posts such as Zhuguo C referring to the highest-ranking officer in the state of Chu )， Lingyin (referring to the prime minister of the state of Chu), Sima (referring to the Minister of War of the state of Chu) and Dianling (referring to the high-ranking court official in charge of the enforcement of the rules of propriety in the state of Chu). When you appointed people to these posts, it was emphasized that they should be incorruptable and qualified for their posts. Now pilferage is rampant in your state and nothing can be done to stop it. In this matter, you have failed to introduce correct names.”