English Original
Zeng Zi, a student of Confucius, was faced with a moral dilemma when his wife went shopping. To quiet their crying child, she promised to slaughter their pig for a feast upon her return.
When she came back, Zeng Zi proceeded to capture the pig for butchering. His wife stopped him, saying, "I was only joking with the child." Zeng Zi replied, "One should not joke with children. They know little and learn by imitating their parents and following their instructions. If you deceive them, you are teaching them to deceive others." Consequently, Zeng Zi killed the pig.
He understood that sincerity and keeping one's word are fundamental principles of personal conduct. Breaking his promise might have saved the pig, but it would have left an indelible shadow on his child's innocent heart.
中文翻译
曾子是孔子的学生。一次，他的妻子要去赶集，孩子哭闹不止，她便许诺回家后杀猪给孩子吃。
妻子回来后，曾子便去捉猪来杀。妻子阻止道：“我不过是和孩子开玩笑罢了。”曾子说：“不能和孩子开玩笑。孩子不懂事，凡事向父母学习，听从父母的教导。现在你欺骗他，就是在教他欺骗别人。”于是，曾子把猪杀了。
他深知，诚实守信、说话算话是做人的基本准则。如果食言不杀猪，虽然保住了家中的猪，却会在孩子纯洁的心灵上留下不可磨灭的阴影。