English Original
In ancient times, Zou Ji, a tall and stately man who had served as Prime Minister of the State of Qi, looked into the mirror one morning. He asked his wife, "Who is more handsome, Xu Gong from the north of the city or I?"
"You are far more handsome," his wife replied. "Xu Gong is no match for you!"
Xu Gong was renowned for his looks. Skeptical, Zou Ji asked his concubine the same question. She also insisted, "Xu Gong is no match for you!"
The next day, a guest visited. Zou Ji posed the question again. The guest answered positively, "Xu Gong is not as handsome as you."
Later, Zou Ji met Xu Gong in person. He stared closely, comparing them carefully, and could not see how he was more handsome. Looking in the mirror again, he felt even more certain he was not as handsome as Xu Gong.
That night, Zou Ji pondered restlessly. Why had all three claimed he was more handsome? He finally understood: "My wife says so out of favoritism; my concubine out of fear; and my guest to curry favor."
中文翻译
古时，齐国宰相邹忌身材高大，相貌堂堂。一日早晨，他照镜子时问妻子：“我与城北的徐公相比，谁更英俊？”
妻子答：“你英俊得多，徐公哪里比得上你！”
徐公是齐国有名的美男子。邹忌不信，又问他的妾。妾也说：“徐公怎么比得上你！”
次日，有客来访。邹忌再次提出同样的问题。客人肯定地回答：“徐公不如你美。”
后来，邹忌亲眼见到了徐公。他仔细端详比较，实在看不出自己更英俊。再次照镜，他越发觉得自己不及徐公。
当晚，邹忌心中不宁，躺在床上深思：自己本不及徐公，为何三人都说他更美？他终于明白：“妻子说我美，是偏爱我；妾说我美，是害怕我；客人说我美，是有求于我。”