English Original
Yan Zi of the state of Qi was sent on a diplomatic mission to the State of Chu.
One day, the King of Chu held a banquet in Yan Zi's honor. While they were feasting, two minor officials escorted a prisoner before the king.
Deliberately, the King of Chu asked, "What crime has this man committed?"
One official replied, "He is a robber."
The King of Chu asked again, "Where is he from?"
The official answered, "He is from the State of Qi."
The King of Chu turned to Yan Zi and said, "So the people of Qi are accustomed to robbery."
Yan Zi stood up and replied, "Your Majesty, I have heard that when orange trees from south of the Huai River are transplanted north of it, they become trifoliate orange trees. Outwardly, their leaves look alike, but the taste of their fruits is entirely different. The people of Qi never commit robbery in their homeland, but once they come to the State of Chu, they start engaging in crime. Perhaps this is due to the influence of the local environment and customs here."
Hearing this, the King of Chu was struck dumb with shame.
中文翻译
齐国的晏子出使到楚国。
一天，楚王设宴款待晏子。正当他们宴饮正欢时，两名小吏押着一个囚犯来见楚王。
楚王故意问道：“这人犯了什么罪？”
一名小吏回答：“他是个强盗。”
楚王又问：“他是哪国人？”
小吏回答：“他是齐国人。”
楚王转向晏子说：“看来齐国人惯于做强盗啊。”
晏子起身答道：“大王，我听说生长在淮河以南的橘树，移植到淮河以北就会变成枳树。从外表看，橘叶和枳叶很相似，但它们果实的味道却完全不同。齐国人在自己的国家从不抢劫，但一到楚国就开始犯罪。我想，这或许是受了此地水土风俗的影响吧。”
楚王听了这番话，羞愧得哑口无言。