English Original
There is a story in the Hanshu about a wealthy man who was an avid collector of antiques. Among his collection was a rare jade vase of exquisite workmanship and great historical value, which he treasured deeply.
One night, he noticed a mouse scurrying near the precious vase. The rodent jumped into the vase, attempting to eat some food the man had carelessly left inside. The sight infuriated the man, and in a fit of rage, he hurled a stone at the mouse. The mouse was killed, but the precious vase was also shattered.
The loss of the vase pained the man greatly. He deeply regretted his own thoughtlessness, which had brought him this irrecoverable loss. He realized then that anyone who acts on immediate impulse without considering the consequences is apt to bring disaster upon themselves. So he exclaimed to warn others: "Do not burn your house to get rid of a mouse."
中文翻译
《汉书》中记载了一个故事：一位富人酷爱收藏古董。他的藏品中有一件稀有的翡翠花瓶，工艺精湛，历史价值非凡，他对此珍爱有加。
一天夜里，他注意到一只老鼠在他珍爱的花瓶附近窜动。老鼠跳进花瓶，试图偷吃他不慎留在里面的食物。此情此景激怒了富人，盛怒之下，他朝老鼠扔了一块石头。老鼠固然被砸死了，但那珍贵的花瓶也被打碎了。
失去花瓶让富人痛心不已。他深深懊悔自己的鲁莽，正是这一时冲动给他带来了无法挽回的损失。他由此领悟到，任何只顾眼前、不计后果的人，都容易给自己招致灾祸。于是，他发出警告说：“切勿投鼠忌器。”（字面意为：不要为了除掉一只老鼠而烧掉自己的房子。）