国学故事：裴矩佞于隋而诤于唐。 <div>"Xi Jinping Tells Stories" (Selected Anti-Corruption Stories)<br></div><div>《习近平讲故事》（廉政故事精选）</div> Pei Ju was a government official who served during both the Sui (581-618) and Tang (618-907) dynasties, but he had very different reputations in these two periods. 裴矩在隋唐时期做官，但他在两朝的名声却不同。 According to historical records, Pei often flattered Emperor Yangdi of the Sui Dynasty. He never disagreed with the emperor’s ideas, even though he knew they might be wrong. Knowing that Emperor Yangdi was very warlike, Pei suggested fighting many wars. This, however, led to Sui’s downfall, as the wars cost too many human and material resources. 据历史记载，裴矩在隋朝做官时，曾经阿谀逢迎，溜须拍马，即使明知隋炀帝的想法是错的，他也想方设法满足隋炀帝的要求；隋炀帝渴望战争，裴矩就支持发动对外战争。常年征战花费了大量的人力物力，导致了隋朝的衰败。 When the Tang Dynasty was established , Pei started to work for the new government. He seemed to become a totally different person. Instead of flattering Emperor Taizong, Pei always spoke out against his wrongs and tried his best to help Taizong make the right decisions. 可到了唐朝，裴矩率部降唐，他却一反故态，总是敢于为唐太宗纠错，并尽全力帮助太宗做出正确的决定，成了忠直敢谏的诤臣。 Why did Pei change? According to Chinese historian Sima Guang (1019-1086), Pei was affected by who he worked for Emperor Yangdi hated to be criticized , while Emperor Taizong loved to hear frank advice. That made the difference. 为什么裴矩改变了？史学家司马光说：裴矩在隋朝奸佞而在唐朝正直，并非是性情有变化。而是受了君主的影响。隋帝不愿听自己的过错，那么正直的人也会变奸佞；唐太宗愿意听真话，那么奸佞的人也可以变正直。 In this story, Pei Ju may not be a perfect role model for us. He seemed to be a person who “trims his sail to the wind ”. What we can learn from this, however, is that our surroundings make a difference. A good environment encourages you to do good deeds , while a bad one may lead you to do undesirable things. That’s why people say “a fine bird rests only on a fine tree, and a virtuous minister only serves a virtuous master ”. We should also try to put ourselves in a good environment where we can meet good teachers and friends. 故事中的裴矩可能不是我们的好榜样，他似乎是个见风使舵的人，但我们能从中领悟到的是氛围的重要性。君主不愿臣下提缺点，则忠臣化为佞臣；君主喜欢臣下提批评意见，则佞臣变化为直言忠臣。所以人们常说：“良禽择木而栖，贤臣择主而事“。所以我们应该投身到能遇到良师益友的好环境中去。 On the other hand, the story also shows that only those who are willing to hear criticism can benefit from it. 另一方面，这个故事还表明，只有那些愿意听到批评的人才能从中受益。 In 2012, President Xi Jinping told this story at the Party School of the CPC Central Committee . He said that government officials should be open-minded and welcome frank advice. 2012年，习近平主席在中共中央党校讲了这个故事。 他说，政府官员应持开放态度，欢迎坦率的建议。 This also applies to us. Do you want fake friends who only please you but don’t care about you, or true friends who can sincerely point out your mistakes? It’s up to you. 这也适用于我们。 您是想要只取悦于你却不关心您的假朋友，还是真诚地指出您的错误的真正朋友？ 由你决定。