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出師表

六百二十八個字,「先帝」出現十三次。一個要出征的人,臨走前把國家的事一件一件交代給一個他不太放心的年輕人。

作者諸葛亮 Chu-ko Liang(181–234)
年代蜀漢建興五年(227),北伐前上後主劉禪
出處《三國志·蜀書·諸葛亮傳》;《文選》卷三十七;《古文觀止》卷六
文體表(奏議)
篇幅〈前出師表〉全文(〈後出師表〉本站未收)

全文 · 中英對照

出師表 Memorial on Sending Out the Army

點任一行的 🔊 可以聽英譯的發音。本頁主譯文為本站自譯,逐句白話直譯。〈出師表〉沒有公版英譯,右欄改放同為奏議的〈諫逐客書〉英譯作對照。

1第一段 · 先說處境有多危險目錄 ↑

開頭不客套。第一句就是「先帝死了」,第三句就是「危急存亡之秋」。

臣亮言:先帝創業未半而中道崩殂,Your servant Liang speaks. The late Emperor's undertaking was not half accomplished when he died midway;
今天下三分,益州疲敝,此誠危急存亡之秋也。now the empire is split in three and Yi-chou is worn out. This is truly a season of crisis, of survival or ruin.
然侍衞之臣不懈於內,忠志之士忘身於外者,蓋追先帝之殊遇,欲報之於陛下也。Yet the guards do not slacken within and loyal men forget themselves abroad — because they remember the late Emperor's special favor and wish to repay it to Your Majesty.

2第二段 · 建議一:把耳朵打開目錄 ↑

第一條建議只有兩句。「不宜妄自菲薄」——他在提醒一個十九歲的皇帝不要看輕自己。

誠宜開張聖聽,以光先帝遺德,恢弘志士之氣,You should truly open wide your sagely hearing, to make the late Emperor's virtue shine and to enlarge the spirit of men of purpose;
不宜妄自菲薄,引喻失義,以塞忠諫之路也。you should not belittle yourself, nor draw comparisons that miss what is right, and so block the road of loyal remonstrance.

3第三段 · 建議二:賞罰要一套標準目錄 ↑

宮裡和朝廷不能兩套規矩。這一段是在防一件很具體的事:皇帝身邊的人不受法律管。

宮中府中,俱爲一體,陟罰臧否,不宜異同。The palace and the ministry are one body; in promotion and punishment, in praise and blame, there should be no difference between them.
若有作奸犯科及爲忠善者,宜付有司論其刑賞,If anyone does evil and breaks the law, or acts with loyalty and goodness, he should be handed to the proper officers to determine his punishment or reward,
以昭陛下平明之治,不宜偏私,使內外異法也。so as to make clear Your Majesty's even and enlightened rule. You should not show favor and let the law differ inside and out.

4第四段 · 把人一個一個交代清楚目錄 ↑

點名四個人,說明各管什麼。這不是推薦信,是一份交接清單。

侍中、侍郎郭攸之、費禕、董允等,此皆良實,志慮忠純,是以先帝簡拔以遺陛下。The attendants and gentlemen-in-waiting Kuo Yu-chih, Fei I and Tung Yün are all good and solid men, loyal and pure in thought; that is why the late Emperor picked them out and left them to Your Majesty.
愚以爲宮中之事,事無大小,悉以咨之,然後施行,必能裨補闕漏,有所廣益。In my foolish view, in palace matters great or small you should consult them all and then act; this will surely mend gaps and omissions and bring wide benefit.
將軍向寵,性行淑均,曉暢軍事,試用於昔日,先帝稱之曰能,是以衆議舉寵爲督。General Hsiang Ch'ung is even in temper and conduct and thoroughly versed in military affairs; tried out in former days, the late Emperor called him able, and so the assembly raised him to be commander.
愚以爲營中之事,悉以咨之,必能使行陣和穆,優劣得所。In my foolish view, in camp matters you should consult him in everything; this will surely keep the ranks in harmony and put the abler and the weaker each in their place.

5第五段 · 建議三:親賢遠佞目錄 ↑

用兩個王朝的興亡作對句。這是三條建議裡講得最重的一條,因為它有前例。

親賢臣,遠小人,此先漢所以興隆也;To keep worthy officials close and petty men at a distance — this is why the Former Han flourished;
親小人,遠賢臣,此後漢所以傾頹也。to keep petty men close and worthy officials at a distance — this is why the Later Han collapsed.
先帝在時,每與臣論此事,未嘗不歎息痛恨於桓、靈也。While the late Emperor lived, whenever he discussed this with me he never failed to sigh and feel bitter regret over Huan and Ling.
侍中、尚書、長史、參軍,此悉貞亮死節之臣也,願陛下親之信之,則漢室之隆,可計日而待也。The attendants, the secretaries, the chief clerk and the staff officer are all men of integrity who would die at their post. I hope Your Majesty will keep them close and trust them; then the rise of the House of Han may be counted in days.

6第六段 · 我是誰,我欠他什麼目錄 ↑

全篇最有名的一段。前面講國事,這裡開始講自己——而講自己,是為了說明他為什麼非去不可。

臣本布衣,躬耕於南陽,苟全性命於亂世,不求聞達於諸侯。Your servant was originally a commoner, working the fields at Nan-yang, merely keeping himself alive in a disordered age, not seeking to be known among the lords.
先帝不以臣卑鄙,猥自枉屈,三顧臣於草廬之中,諮臣以當世之事,由是感激,遂許先帝以驅馳。The late Emperor did not think me low and unlearned; he stooped from his own dignity and came three times to my thatched hut to consult me on the affairs of the age. Moved by this, I promised him I would serve.
後值傾覆,受任於敗軍之際,奉命於危難之間,爾來二十有一年矣。Afterwards came the collapse: I took office at a time of beaten armies and received orders in the midst of danger — and twenty-one years have passed since then.
先帝知臣謹慎,故臨崩寄臣以大事也。The late Emperor knew that I was careful, and so on his deathbed he entrusted the great task to me.
受命以來,夙夜憂歎,恐託付不效,以傷先帝之明,故五月渡瀘,深入不毛。Since receiving that charge I have sighed with worry morning and night, fearing the trust would come to nothing and injure the late Emperor's judgment; that is why in the fifth month I crossed the Lu and went deep into barren country.
今南方已定,兵甲已足,當獎率三軍,北定中原,庶竭駑鈍,攘除姦凶,興復漢室,還于舊都。Now the south is settled and our arms are sufficient. I should encourage and lead the three armies and settle the central plain in the north, hoping to exhaust my poor abilities, sweep away the wicked and violent, restore the House of Han and return to the old capital.
此臣所以報先帝而忠陛下之職分也。This is how I repay the late Emperor and do my duty to Your Majesty.
至於斟酌損益,進盡忠言,則攸之、禕、允之任也。As for weighing what to add and what to cut, and offering loyal counsel to the full, that is the charge of Yu-chih, I and Yün.

7第七段 · 把責任分配好,然後告別目錄 ↑

連失敗怎麼辦都寫好了。最後一句是全篇唯一一次失控。

願陛下託臣以討賊興復之效,不效,則治臣之罪,以告先帝之靈;I hope Your Majesty will entrust to me the task of punishing the rebels and restoring the house. If it fails, then punish my crime and report it to the late Emperor's spirit.
若無興德之言,則責攸之、禕、允等之慢,以彰其咎。If no word comes forward that advances virtue, then blame Yu-chih, I and Yün for negligence and make their fault plain.
陛下亦宜自課,以諮諏善道,察納雅言。深追先帝遺詔,臣不勝受恩感激。Your Majesty should also examine yourself, seek out good ways, and weigh and accept upright words. Follow closely the late Emperor's last edict. Your servant cannot bear the weight of the kindness he has received.
今當遠離,臨表涕泣,不知所云。Now I am about to go far away. Facing this memorial I weep, and do not know what I am saying.

English Vocabulary

英譯裡值得帶走的字 12 words

這一欄的字全部取自上面的英譯,不是古文字義。 每個字都附它在本篇出現的那一句——單字和例句各有一個 🔊,點了都唸英文。

undertaking(n.)事業、大業

The late Emperor's undertaking was not half accomplished when he died midway.

先帝創業未半,而中道崩殂。

belittle(v.)看輕(自己)

You should not belittle yourself, nor draw comparisons that miss what is right.

不宜妄自菲薄,引喻失義。

omission(n.)疏漏、遺漏

This will surely mend gaps and omissions and bring wide benefit.

必能裨補闕漏,有所廣益。

versed in(phr.)精通

General Hsiang Ch'ung is even in temper and conduct and thoroughly versed in military affairs.

將軍向寵,性行淑均,曉暢軍事。

integrity(n.)正直、氣節

The attendants, the secretaries, the chief clerk and the staff officer are all men of integrity.

侍中、尚書、長史、參軍,此悉貞亮死節之臣。

commoner(n.)平民

Your servant was originally a commoner, working the fields at Nan-yang.

臣本布衣,躬耕於南陽。

thatched hut(phr.)草廬

He came three times to my thatched hut to consult me on the affairs of the age.

三顧臣於草廬之中,諮臣以當世之事。

entrust(v.)託付

On his deathbed he entrusted the great task to me.

故臨崩寄臣以大事也。

charge(n.)所託付的職責

Since receiving that charge I have sighed with worry morning and night.

受命以來,夙夜憂歎。

barren(adj.)荒瘠不毛的

In the fifth month I crossed the Lu and went deep into barren country.

五月渡瀘,深入不毛。

counsel(n.)建言、忠告

As for weighing what to add and what to cut, and offering loyal counsel to the full…

至於斟酌損益,進盡忠言。

negligence(n.)怠慢、失職

Then blame Yu-chih, I and Yün for negligence and make their fault plain.

則責攸之、褘、允等之慢,以彰其咎。

Reading Check

讀懂了嗎 6 questions

全部根據上面的英譯出題,不考古文字義。 點一下選項就揭曉答案,不必送出,也不會記錄任何資料。

1. How does the memorial describe the state of affairs at its opening?

2. Why, according to the writer, do the guards and loyal men still hold firm?

3. What does he say about the palace and the ministry?

4. What reason does he give for the rise of the Former Han and the fall of the Later Han?

5. What was the writer before he was called into service?

6. What does he ask should happen if the campaign fails?

逐段導讀

這篇文章在做什麼

「先帝」出現十三次

六百二十八字裡,「先帝」十三次、「陛下」七次、「臣」十六次。整篇文章的座標只有三個人:死掉的父親、活著的兒子、寫信的臣子。

每次提到「先帝」,都是在提醒劉禪:這是你父親留下的。 建議不是諸葛亮的意思,是先帝的意思;人不是他選的,是先帝簡拔的。這是一個臣子對君主說話時,能找到的最有力也最安全的位置。

三條建議,一條比一條重

開張聖聽(把耳朵打開)→ 賞罰一體(宮裡朝廷同一套法)→ 親賢遠佞(用什麼人)。

前兩條各只有兩三句,第三條卻搬出了兩個王朝的興亡,還抬出先帝生前的歎息。篇幅的差別就是輕重的差別。

而且三條都不是空話——第四段立刻把人名一個一個列出來:宮裡的事問郭攸之、費禕、董允,軍營的事問向寵。這是一份交接清單,不是勸誡文。

後半突然變成自傳

前五段講國事,第六段開頭「臣本布衣」一轉,開始講自己:種田的、沒沒無聞的、被三顧茅廬請出來的、二十一年前接下重任的。

為什麼要講? 因為他要說明的是:這件事我非做不可,而且理由不在我身上。 先帝三顧、先帝託孤——他把自己的行動全部掛在一個死人的恩情上。

最後一句是全篇唯一的失控

六百多字都克制、條理、分明,連失敗了要怎麼辦都寫清楚了(不效則治臣之罪)。然後最後一句:臨表涕泣,不知所云。

「不知所云」是承認自己語無倫次。 一份給皇帝的正式公文,用這五個字結尾——前面越有條理,這五個字越重。

⚠️ 你可能讀反的地方

課本選過的文章最容易讀反——因為你背的是課本的解釋,不是文章本身。以下放的是原文明明寫了、但多數人沒注意到的字句。

「卑鄙」不是道德敗壞

「先帝不以臣卑鄙」的「卑」是出身低微,「鄙」是見識淺陋。整句是:先帝不嫌我出身低、見識少。

現代中文的「卑鄙」是人格上的罵人話,完全是後起義。這是文言文最有名的古今異義之一。

「秋」不是秋天

「危急存亡之秋」的「秋」是時候、關頭。古人以秋為收成與決斷的季節,引申為緊要的時刻。不是說這件事發生在秋天。

「猥」是謙辭

「猥自枉屈」的「猥」=辱、屈就,是說「委屈了您」。不是猥瑣。 整句是:先帝屈尊降貴(來找我)。

「臧否」讀 ㄗㄤ ㄆㄧˇ

「臧」是善,「否」是惡。「陟罰臧否」=升遷、處罰、褒揚、貶斥。「否」在這裡不讀 ㄈㄡˇ。

「不毛」不是沒有毛

是不長草木,指荒僻之地。「深入不毛」=深入到寸草不生的地方(指南征)。

「二十有一年」的「有」讀 ㄧㄡˋ

通「又」,二十又一年=二十一年。同《論語》「吾十有五而志于學」。(本站論語選讀有該章。)

「三顧」不等於《三國演義》的三顧茅廬

諸葛亮自己只寫了「三顧臣於草廬之中」七個字。《三國演義》裡那段膾炙人口的三顧情節,是小說的鋪陳。

歷史上的原始證據就是這七個字——這是讓學生分辨「史料」與「小說」的好機會。

結尾有版本異文

本頁底本作「臨表涕泣,不知所云」;課本與《文選》系統多作「臨表涕零,不知所言」。

意思相同,用字不同。 兩種都通行,本頁依維基文庫底本。

🔍 英文譯不出來的地方

翻譯是最嚴格的閱讀。中文可以含糊帶過的地方,英文非得做決定。以下是譯這篇文章時被迫做的取捨,也是中文最值得停下來看的地方。

敬語階層整個消失

臣/陛下/先帝/愚以為/不勝受恩感激——中文有一整套區分上下的詞彙系統,每一個詞都在標示說話者的位置。

英文只有 Your Majesty 與 your servant 兩個層級可用,而且 your servant 在英文裡讀起來像卑躬屈膝,中文的「臣」卻只是職稱。 整篇的分寸感因此變形。

「先帝」重複十三次,英文會被當成囉嗦

中文的重複是強調:每一次都在提醒對方。英文寫十三次 the late Emperor,英語讀者只會覺得作者詞彙貧乏——英文的修辭習慣是換詞(his father/the former ruler/he)。

一換詞,那個「我一直在提醒你」的效果就沒了。

「親賢臣,遠小人」的對句

親賢臣/遠小人/此先漢所以興隆也;親小人/遠賢臣/此後漢所以傾頹也——上下句只把「賢臣」「小人」對調。

英文得把整句重寫一遍(To keep worthy officials close and petty men at a distance... to keep petty men close and worthy officials at a distance...),字數暴增,對調的機巧就被稀釋了。

「不知所云」的重量譯不出來

中文五個字,放在一份公文的最後,突兀、失格、動人。英文 and do not know what I am saying 語意正確,但英文公文裡出現這句只會顯得語病,不會顯得情深。

這是文體慣例造成的損失:中文讀者知道公文不該這樣結尾,所以感受到破格;英語讀者沒有那個對照。

關鍵字詞

這個字為什麼選這個英文

字詞這裡的意思英譯與選擇
崩殂帝王去世died。崩、殂皆指天子之死。
秋時候、關頭season、moment。不是秋天。
殊遇特別的知遇special favor。
開張聖聽廣泛聽取意見open wide your hearing。
妄自菲薄過分看輕自己belittle yourself。
陟罰臧否升遷處罰、褒揚貶斥(否讀 ㄆㄧˇ)promotion and punishment, praise and blame。
有司主管的官員the proper officers。
簡拔選拔pick out。
咨詢問consult。
裨補闕漏補足缺失mend gaps and omissions。
淑均善良公正even in temper and conduct。
行陣軍隊行列the ranks。
傾頹衰敗collapse。
卑鄙出身低微、見識淺陋low and unlearned。不是道德敗壞。
猥辱、屈就(謙辭)stoop。不是猥瑣。
驅馳奔走效力serve。
夙夜早晚morning and night。
不毛不長草木barren country。
駑鈍才能低劣(謙辭)my poor abilities。
諮諏詢問seek out。
雅言正直的話upright words。

章法

這篇文章是怎麼蓋起來的

勢—策—人—己—託,七段六百二十八字,是一份公文的標準骨架。

前五段對外:先講形勢(危急存亡),再提三條建議,中間插入具體人事。三條建議的篇幅遞增——第一條兩句,第二條三句,第三條搬出兩朝興亡。

第六段轉向自己。「臣本布衣」四個字是全篇的轉軸:從國事轉到身世,從建議轉到理由。這一段最長,也最有名。

第七段做責任分配:我做不到就治我的罪,他們做不到就責他們的慢,陛下自己也要自課。三方責任寫得清清楚楚,這是託孤者的謹慎。

收尾破格:前面六百字條理分明,最後五個字承認自己語無倫次。全篇唯一一次形式失控,也是唯一一次感情外露。

英語世界怎麼讀他

(無公版英譯)· 對照:翟理斯譯李斯〈諫逐客書〉

〈出師表〉沒有公版英譯。 翟理斯《古文選珍》與《中國文學史》都沒有收,後者提到諸葛亮時講的是《三國演義》草船借箭的故事。

所以右欄放的是同為奏議的〈諫逐客書〉英譯(本站亦有專頁)。兩篇相隔四百多年,處境卻很像:都是臣子想改變君主已經做出的決定,都不能直說「你錯了」。

但兩人的策略完全相反。 李斯全篇不提自己,只講「這樣做你會吃虧」;諸葛亮則把自己整個攤開——布衣、三顧、託孤、二十一年——用恩情而不是利害來說服。

一個靠計算,一個靠情分。 兩篇並讀,中國奏議文的兩條路就都在眼前了。

THE high officers of State had combined to persuade the Prince of Ch'in to dismiss all foreign nobles and other strangers from the Court, urging that such persons were there only in the interests of their masters. This proscription would have included me. I therefore sent up the following Memorial:―May it please your Majesty, The present scheme for proscribing strangers is in every way a fatal step. Have we not innumerable examples in the past of the employment of foreigners, to the greater glory of the State and to the infinite advantage of the people?— Herbert A. Giles 翟理斯譯,Gems of Chinese Literature(1922 年版)· 李斯〈諫逐客書〉開頭

活在現代中文裡

這篇文章留下來的話

句子現在怎麼用英文可對應
危急存亡之秋形容緊要關頭;政治與企業場合極常見a season of crisis, of survival or ruin
妄自菲薄過分看輕自己belittle oneself
作奸犯科做壞事、觸犯法令do evil and break the law
三顧茅廬形容誠意延攬人才;由本篇「三顧臣於草廬之中」而來call three times at the thatched hut
親賢臣,遠小人用人原則;至今仍是常備引文keep the worthy close and the petty at a distance
計日可待形容很快就能實現may be counted in days
不知所云現多指別人話講得沒條理(貶義);原文是作者自述情緒激動do not know what I am saying(原為自述)

🍎 給雙語課老師的教學提示

  • 適合程度:中階。高中課本必選,字詞難度中等,但敬語與官職名較多。
  • 課堂設計(先數字):請學生數「先帝」出現幾次(十三次)。再問:為什麼一直提? 這個問題比講主旨有效得多。
  • 成語陷阱:「不知所云」現在是罵人話講得沒條理,原文是諸葛亮說自己哭到語無倫次。讓學生先寫下他們以為的意思。
  • 古今異義:「卑鄙」「秋」「猥」三個字一起講。「先帝不以臣卑鄙」如果照今義讀,整句就變成「先帝不嫌我人格低下」——意思完全錯。
  • 史料與小說:諸葛亮只寫了「三顧臣於草廬之中」七個字。請學生比較這七個字與《三國演義》的三顧茅廬情節,分辨什麼是史料、什麼是後人的鋪陳。
  • 雙語分工:中師處理敬語系統(臣/陛下/先帝/愚以為)與官職名;外師討論英文為什麼不能重複十三次 the late Emperor,以及換詞會失去什麼。
  • 與本站他頁連讀:〈諫逐客書〉是同一文體的另一種策略(講利害不講情分);「二十有一年」的「有」可連《論語》〈吾十有五而志于學〉。
  • 寫作延伸:寫一封「交接信」——你要離開一個職位(幹部、社團、打工),把該交代的事列清楚,並寫明做不到誰負責。中英文各一段。