佞幸列传原文、注释与翻译
【说明与解析】
本文是记述汉(han)代佞臣(chen)邓通(tong)、赵同和(he)(he)李延年等的(de)(de)合传,揭露(lu)了(le)他们无才(cai)无德,却(que)善承上意,察(cha)颜观色,专(zhuan)以谄媚事主,甚至不惜丧失人(ren)格,吮痈取宠,以及他们恃宠骄横(heng),*乱永巷的(de)(de)丑恶行径和(he)(he)肮(ang)脏的(de)(de)灵魂(hun),进而婉转地(di)讽刺和(he)(he)鞭挞(ta)了(le)文、景、武(wu)等帝(di)的(de)(de)任人(ren)失当(dang),重(zhong)用*佞的(de)(de)弊端。佞臣(chen)与酷(ku)吏都是专(zhuan)制政(zheng)治的(de)(de)必(bi)然(ran)产物,反转来(lai)它(ta)对(dui)(dui)封建(jian)(jian)政(zheng)治也必(bi)然(ran)造成严重(zhong)的(de)(de)恶果,这从历代封建(jian)(jian)王朝佞人(ren)乱政(zheng)的(de)(de)大量史实中可以得到验证。司(si)马(ma)迁(qian)在(zai)文章(zhang)中对(dui)(dui)此深(shen)表感(gan)慨(kai),表现了(le)他对(dui)(dui)汉(han)代现实政(zheng)治的(de)(de)失望(wang)和(he)(he)对(dui)(dui)未来(lai)政(zheng)情的(de)(de)忧虑(lv),反映了(le)他的(de)(de)敏锐的(de)(de)政(zheng)治洞察(cha)力。
文章短小,叙事简洁而有条理,尤其是寓感慨于叙事之中的写法,以及篇末直抒胸臆的写法,使感情跌宕婉转,“通篇一气,直贯到底”(吴见思《史记论文》),很有(you)艺术的感染力(li)。
【原文、注释(shi)与翻译(yi)】
谚曰(yue):“力(li)田不如(ru)逢年(nian)①,善(shan)仕不如(ru)遇合②”,固无虚言。非独女(nv)以(yi)(yi)色媚,而士宦亦有之(zhi)③。昔以(yi)(yi)色幸(xing)者多矣。至汉(han)兴,高祖至暴抗(kang)也④,然(ran)籍(ji)孺以(yi)(yi)佞幸(xing)⑤。孝惠时有闳(hong)孺⑥。此(ci)两人非有材能(neng),徒(tu)以(yi)(yi)婉(wan)佞贵幸(xing),与(yu)上卧起,公卿皆(jie)因关(guan)说⑦。故孝惠时郎侍中(zhong)皆(jie)冠(guan)鵕⑧,贝带(dai)⑨,傅脂粉⑩,化闳(hong)、籍(ji)之(zhi)属也(11)。两人徙家安(an)陵(12)。
①力(li)田(tian):努力(li)种(zhong)田(tian)。逢(feng)年:遇到(dao)(dao)丰收(shou)年景(jing)。②遇合:指君臣(chen)和谐,国君器重大(da)臣(chen)。③士(shi)宦(huan):士(shi)人和宦(huan)官。④暴(bao)(bao)抗(kang):暴(bao)(bao)猛刚直。抗(kang),通“伉”。⑤以佞幸(xing)(xing):*谄媚得到(dao)(dao)宠(chong)幸(xing)(xing)。⑥孝惠(hui):汉惠(hui)帝(di)。⑦关说:通其(qi)说词。关,通。⑧冠:戴帽(mao)子(zi)(zi)。鵕:鸟(niao)名,此指用(yong)鵕羽毛装(zhuang)饰的(de)帽(mao)子(zi)(zi)。⑨贝(bei)带(dai)(dai):用(yong)贝(bei)壳装(zhuang)饰的(de)腰(yao)带(dai)(dai)。⑩傅(fu):通“敷”。抹搽(cha)。(11)化:感染(ran)、影(ying)响。(12)安陵:汉惠(hui)帝(di)陵邑。
俗语(yu)说:“努(nu)力种田,不(bu)(bu)如遇到丰(feng)年。好(hao)好(hao)为官(guan),不(bu)(bu)如碰到赏识自己的君王。”这不(bu)(bu)是(shi)(shi)没有根(gen)据(ju)的空(kong)话。不(bu)(bu)但是(shi)(shi)女子用美色(se)谄媚取宠,就是(shi)(shi)士人和宦者也(ye)有这种情况。
孝(xiao)文(wen)时中宠臣①,士人则邓通,宦者则赵(zhao)同(tong)、北宫伯子。北宫伯子以(yi)爱人长者②;而赵(zhao)同(tong)以(yi)星(xing)气幸(xing)③,常为文(wen)帝参(can)乘④;邓通无(wu)伎(ji)能⑤。
邓(deng)(deng)通(tong),蜀(shu)郡南(nan)安人也,以濯船(chuan)为黄(huang)头郎(lang)⑥。孝(xiao)文(wen)(wen)帝梦欲上天,不能,有一(yi)黄(huang)头郎(lang)从后推之(zhi)上天,顾见其(qi)(qi)衣裻(du)带后穿(chuan)⑦。觉而(er)之(zhi)渐台⑧,以梦中阴目求推者(zhe)郎(lang)⑨,即见邓(deng)(deng)通(tong),其(qi)(qi)衣后穿(chuan),梦中听见也。召向其(qi)(qi)名姓,姓邓(deng)(deng)氏,名通(tong),文(wen)(wen)帝说(shuo)焉⑩,尊幸之(zhi)日异。通(tong)亦愿谨(11),不好外交,虽(sui)赐洗沐(12),不欲出。于是(shi)文(wen)(wen)帝赏(shang)赐通(tong)巨万以十数(13),官至上大(da)夫。文(wen)(wen)帝时时如邓(deng)(deng)通(tong)家游戏(14)。然(ran)邓(deng)(deng)通(tong)无他(ta)能,不能有所荐士,独自(zi)谨其(qi)(qi)身以媚上而(er)已。上使善相者(zhe)相通(tong),曰(yue)“当贫饿死(si)”。文(wen)(wen)帝曰(yue):“能富通(tong)者(zhe)在我也(15),何谓贫乎?”于是(shi)赐邓(deng)(deng)通(tong)蜀(shu)严(yan)道铜山,得自(zi)铸钱,“邓(deng)(deng)氏钱”布天下。其(qi)(qi)富如此。
文(wen)帝(di)(di)尝病痈(16),邓(deng)(deng)通(tong)(tong)常为帝(di)(di)唶(jie)吮之(zhi)(17)。文(wen)帝(di)(di)不乐,从容问(wen)通(tong)(tong)曰:“天下谁最爱(ai)我(wo)者乎?”通(tong)(tong)曰:“宜莫如太子。”太子入(ru)问(wen)病,文(wen)帝(di)(di)使唶(jie)痈,唶(jie)痈而色难(nan)之(zhi)(18)。已而闻邓(deng)(deng)通(tong)(tong)常为帝(di)(di)唶(jie)吮之(zhi),心惭(can),由此怨通(tong)(tong)矣(yi)。及文(wen)帝(di)(di)崩,景帝(di)(di)立,邓(deng)(deng)通(tong)(tong)免,家居。居无(wu)何,人有告邓(deng)(deng)通(tong)(tong)盗(dao)出(chu)徼外铸钱(19)。下吏(li)验问(wen)(20),颇有之(zhi),遂(sui)竟案(an)(21),尽(jin)没(mei)入(ru)邓(deng)(deng)通(tong)(tong)家,尚负责数巨万(22)。长(zhang)公(gong)主赐邓(deng)(deng)通(tong)(tong)(23),吏(li)辄随没(mei)入(ru)之(zhi),一(yi)(yi)簪不得著身(24)。于是长(zhang)公(gong)主乃令(ling)假衣(yi)食(25)。竟不得名(ming)一(yi)(yi)钱(26),寄死人家。
①中宠(chong)臣:皇宫(gong)(gong)中的(de)受宠(chong)之(zhi)臣。②爱人长(zhang)者(zhe):仁慈(ci)的(de)长(zhang)者(zhe)。③星气(qi):观察星象和(he)(he)望气(qi)。幸:受宠(chong)爱。④参乘(cheng)(cheng):陪乘(cheng)(cheng)。⑤伎能:通“技(ji)能”。⑥濯(zhào,照)船:用桨划船。濯:通“棹”。⑦顾:回头看(kan):裻(dū,督(du)):衣(yi)衫和(he)(he)横腰部分。带:衣(yi)带。穿:打结(jie)。⑧觉:指梦醒。之(zhi):往。渐台:建在未央宫(gong)(gong)西(xi)边苍池中的(de)台子。⑨阴目:暗中看(kan)着。⑩说:同(tong)“悦”。(11)愿(yuan)谨:性格老(lao)实(shi)谨慎。(12)外交:同(tong)别人交往。洗(xi)沐(mu):休假。按(an)汉(han)(han)制,官(guan)(guan)吏五日一洗(xi)沐(mu)。(13)巨(ju)万(wan):犹言“上亿”。十(shi)数:十(shi)来次。(14)如:往。(15)富通:使(shi)邓(deng)通富有。(16)病痈:得(de)了痈病。(17)唶(jie)吮(shun):吮(shun)吸。(18)色难(nan):脸上显出难(nan)为情(qing)的(de)表情(qing)。(19)徼:边境。(20)下吏:交给法官(guan)(guan)。验(yan)问:验(yan)证询问。(21)竟案:结(jie)案。(22)责:通“债(zhai)”。(23)长(zhang)公主(zhu):指汉(han)(han)景帝(di)的(de)姐姐刘嫖。(24)簪:古人插发的(de)长(zhang)针(zhen),常(chang)以(yi)金玉制成。著(zhu)身(shen):戴在身(shen)上。(25)假:借(jie)。(26)竟:最终。名(ming):犹“占有”。
从前用美色取得宠(chong)(chong)幸的人很多。到(dao)汉朝建(jian)国(guo)时(shi),高祖为人极暴猛刚(gang)直,但却有(you)籍孺以(yi)谄(chan)媚得宠(chong)(chong)。孝(xiao)惠帝(di)(di)时(shi)有(you)个闳(hong)孺也是这样。这两个人并没有(you)才能,只是*婉顺和谄(chan)媚得到(dao)了显贵和宠(chong)(chong)爱,竟(jing)同(tong)皇上(shang)同(tong)起同(tong)卧(wo),连公卿大臣(chen)都(dou)要通过(guo)他们去向皇上(shang)沟(gou)通自(zi)己的说词。所以(yi)汉惠帝(di)(di)时(shi),郎官和侍中都(dou)戴着(zhe)用鵕鸟毛装(zhuang)饰的帽子(zi),系着(zhe)饰有(you)贝壳的衣带,涂脂抹粉,这是受了闳(hong)孺和籍孺之(zhi)流感染影响的结果。后来(lai),闳(hong)孺和籍孺都(dou)把家(jia)搬到(dao)了安陵。
汉文帝(di)时的(de)宫(gong)中宠臣,士人有邓通,宦官(guan)有赵同(tong)、北宫(gong)伯子。北宫(gong)伯子因(yin)为是仁爱的(de)长者而受到宠幸(xing);赵同(tong)因(yin)善于观(guan)察(cha)星象和望气而受到宠幸(xing),常常做文帝(di)的(de)陪乘;邓通没(mei)有技(ji)能。
邓(deng)(deng)(deng)(deng)通(tong)(tong)(tong)(tong)是蜀(shu)郡南安人(ren),因善于划船当了(le)黄头(tou)(tou)郎。汉文(wen)(wen)(wen)帝(di)(di)(di)做梦想(xiang)升天,不(bu)(bu)能上(shang)(shang)(shang)(shang),有个黄头(tou)(tou)郎从背后(hou)(hou)推(tui)着他上(shang)(shang)(shang)(shang)了(le)天,他回头(tou)(tou)看(kan)见(jian)(jian)那人(ren)衣(yi)(yi)衫的(de)(de)横腰(yao)部分,衣(yi)(yi)带在(zai)背后(hou)(hou)打了(le)结(jie)。梦醒后(hou)(hou),文(wen)(wen)(wen)帝(di)(di)(di)前往渐台(tai),按梦中所见(jian)(jian)暗自(zi)(zi)寻找推(tui)他上(shang)(shang)(shang)(shang)天的(de)(de)黄头(tou)(tou)郎。果然看(kan)到邓(deng)(deng)(deng)(deng)通(tong)(tong)(tong)(tong),他的(de)(de)衣(yi)(yi)带在(zai)身后(hou)(hou)打了(le)结(jie),正是梦中所见(jian)(jian)的(de)(de)那人(ren)。文(wen)(wen)(wen)帝(di)(di)(di)把(ba)他召来(lai)询问他的(de)(de)姓名,他姓邓(deng)(deng)(deng)(deng)名通(tong)(tong)(tong)(tong),文(wen)(wen)(wen)帝(di)(di)(di)喜欢他,一(yi)天比一(yi)天地更(geng)加尊(zun)重和(he)宠爱他。邓(deng)(deng)(deng)(deng)通(tong)(tong)(tong)(tong)也(ye)老实(shi)谨(jin)慎,不(bu)(bu)喜欢和(he)外人(ren)交往,虽然皇帝(di)(di)(di)给予休假(jia)的(de)(de)恩(en)赐,他也(ye)不(bu)(bu)想(xiang)外出。这时皇帝(di)(di)(di)赏赐他十多次(ci),总共上(shang)(shang)(shang)(shang)亿的(de)(de)金钱(qian),官职升到上(shang)(shang)(shang)(shang)大夫。文(wen)(wen)(wen)帝(di)(di)(di)常常到邓(deng)(deng)(deng)(deng)通(tong)(tong)(tong)(tong)家(jia)玩耍。但是邓(deng)(deng)(deng)(deng)通(tong)(tong)(tong)(tong)没有别的(de)(de)什(shen)么才能,不(bu)(bu)能推(tui)荐贤士(shi),只是自(zi)(zi)己处(chu)事谨(jin)慎,谄媚(mei)皇上(shang)(shang)(shang)(shang)而(er)已。有一(yi)次(ci),皇上(shang)(shang)(shang)(shang)让善于相面(mian)的(de)(de)人(ren)给邓(deng)(deng)(deng)(deng)通(tong)(tong)(tong)(tong)相面(mian),那人(ren)相面(mian)以(yi)后(hou)(hou)说:“邓(deng)(deng)(deng)(deng)通(tong)(tong)(tong)(tong)当贫饿(e)而(er)死(si)。”文(wen)(wen)(wen)帝(di)(di)(di)说:“能使(shi)邓(deng)(deng)(deng)(deng)通(tong)(tong)(tong)(tong)富(fu)有的(de)(de)就(jiu)在(zai)我(wo),怎能说他会(hui)贫困呢?”于是文(wen)(wen)(wen)帝(di)(di)(di)把(ba)蜀(shu)郡严道的(de)(de)铜山赐给了(le)邓(deng)(deng)(deng)(deng)通(tong)(tong)(tong)(tong),并给他自(zi)(zi)己铸钱(qian)的(de)(de)特权,从此“邓(deng)(deng)(deng)(deng)氏钱(qian)”流(liu)传全国。他的(de)(de)富(fu)有达到了(le)这个程度。
文(wen)(wen)帝(di)曾经得(de)了(le)痈疽病,邓(deng)(deng)(deng)(deng)通(tong)(tong)(tong)常为文(wen)(wen)帝(di)吮(shun)吸(xi)脓血(xue)。文(wen)(wen)帝(di)心(xin)中不(bu)高(gao)兴,从(cong)容地问邓(deng)(deng)(deng)(deng)通(tong)(tong)(tong)说(shuo):“天(tian)下(xia)谁最爱我呢?”邓(deng)(deng)(deng)(deng)通(tong)(tong)(tong)说(shuo):“应该没有(you)谁比得(de)上(shang)(shang)太子(zi)(zi)更爱你(ni)的(de)(de)(de)了(le)。”太子(zi)(zi)前来看(kan)望文(wen)(wen)帝(di)病情,文(wen)(wen)帝(di)让他给吮(shun)吸(xi)脓血(xue),太子(zi)(zi)虽然吮(shun)吸(xi)了(le)脓血(xue),可是(shi)脸(lian)上(shang)(shang)却显露(lu)出难为情的(de)(de)(de)样(yang)子(zi)(zi)。过后太子(zi)(zi)听说(shuo)邓(deng)(deng)(deng)(deng)通(tong)(tong)(tong)常为文(wen)(wen)帝(di)吮(shun)吸(xi)脓血(xue),心(xin)里感(gan)到(dao)惭愧,也因此(ci)而怨恨邓(deng)(deng)(deng)(deng)通(tong)(tong)(tong)。等到(dao)文(wen)(wen)帝(di)死去,汉景帝(di)即(ji)位,邓(deng)(deng)(deng)(deng)通(tong)(tong)(tong)被免职,在家(jia)闲居。过了(le)不(bu)久,有(you)人(ren)告(gao)发邓(deng)(deng)(deng)(deng)通(tong)(tong)(tong)偷盗了(le)境外的(de)(de)(de)铸钱。景帝(di)把(ba)这事(shi)交给法(fa)官(guan)审理,结(jie)果(guo)确(que)有(you)此(ci)事(shi),于是(shi)就(jiu)结(jie)案,把(ba)邓(deng)(deng)(deng)(deng)通(tong)(tong)(tong)家(jia)的(de)(de)(de)钱财全部没收充(chong)公(gong),还欠好几亿钱。长公(gong)主刘嫖赏(shang)赐邓(deng)(deng)(deng)(deng)通(tong)(tong)(tong)钱财,官(guan)吏就(jiu)马(ma)上(shang)(shang)没收顶(ding)债,连一(yi)只(zhi)簪(zan)子(zi)(zi)也不(bu)让邓(deng)(deng)(deng)(deng)通(tong)(tong)(tong)戴在身上(shang)(shang)。于是(shi)长公(gong)主就(jiu)命令手下(xia)的(de)(de)(de)人(ren)只(zhi)借(jie)给邓(deng)(deng)(deng)(deng)通(tong)(tong)(tong)衣食的(de)(de)(de)费用。竟使他不(bu)能(neng)占有(you)一(yi)个钱,寄食在别人(ren)家(jia)里,直到(dao)死去。