English Original
There was a man in the State of Song who was fond of currying favor.
One day, he obtained a piece of uncarved jade and presented it to Zi Han, a minister of Song, hoping to ingratiate himself.
Zi Han adamantly refused the gift.
Undeterred, the man spoke in honeyed words: "This is a rare piece of jade, a treasure fit for a gentleman's ornament or tableware. It would be most suitable in the hands of a venerable man like yourself. I am but a coarse fellow, unworthy of such a valuable treasure."
"You may regard this jade as a treasure," replied Zi Han. "However, I do not accept fawning flattery, nor do I consider such conduct a treasure."
Feeling thoroughly snubbed, the man from Song sneaked away.
中文翻译
宋国有一个人，喜欢奉承讨好。
有一天，他得到了一块未经雕琢的玉石，便去献给宋国大臣子罕，企图讨好对方。
子罕坚决不接受。
那人并不罢休，花言巧语地说道：“这是一块珍奇的玉石，是适合君子用作佩饰或器皿的宝物。它若在您这样德高望重的人手中，才是最相称的。我不过是个粗人，不配拥有这样的贵重宝物。”
子罕回答道：“你可以把这块玉石当作宝贝，但我却不接受阿谀奉承，也不把这种行为视为宝贝。”
那个宋国人自讨没趣，灰溜溜地走了。