张安世

“Full without Spill”: Accomplished Yet Humble
 
Zhang Anshi (? – 62 BC), courtesy name Ziru, was a minister in the Western Han Dynasty (202 BC – 8 AD). He was dedicated to his work and always conducted himself in a courteous and upright manner.
 
When he was young, Zhang served as a mid-ranking officer. Later, because of his upright character, the great general Huo Guang entrusted him with important responsibilities and appointed him general of the chariot division. He was prudent, trustworthy and industrious. After Huo Guang died, various ministers in the royal court submitted a memorial to the throne, recommending Zhang for “Guangluxun,”  one of the nine most powerful minister positions in the imperial court, in charge of royal guards and attendants. The emperor also wanted to entrust him and his son with important responsibilities.
 
It was quite possible that Zhang was aware of the Taoists' admonition: "Knowing when enough is enough one will not end up in disgrace; knowing when to stop one will not meet with danger, and then it can last." He knew that if he indulged his desires and greed, he would sooner or later end up in disgrace and disaster. So when the emperor wanted to promote him to the rank of nobility, he was afraid to accept it and asked to see the emperor. He pleaded with the emperor that he was not qualified for such an important position and hoped that the emperor would spare his life. The emperor laughed and said: "You are too modest. If you cannot do the job, who else can?" Zhang still firmly declined, but the emperor did not accept. Several days later, Zhang was appointed general of the horse-drawn vehicles as well as head of the department in charge of official memorials to the throne. Later, his position was changed to defense general.
 
Zhang always dressed in thick black silk fabrics (black implies humbleness) that his wife made. He felt uneasy seeing both himself and his son serving as high officials in court and petitioned to the emperor for his son to be dispatched outside of the capital.
 
Once, Zhang Anshi recommended that a person be appointed to the imperial court. The person thanked Zhang but Zhang felt regretful because he thought that his recommendation was based purely on the person's qualifications, and there was no reason for the person to thank him. Zhang stopped all dealings with the person from then on.
 
An official came to see Zhang. The official said to him that his merits and accomplishments were not being duly rewarded. Zhang said: "When you have a lot of merits, your superior is bound to know. As an incumbent official, how can you blow your own horn this way?" He rejected the official's request for promotion. However shortly after, the official was promoted and transferred. Such was Zhang, shunning fame and distancing himself from power and influence, separating public and private interests, and disinclined to let people know of his kindness.
 
His magnanimity also manifested in forgiving people for their mistakes. During his term of duty as Guangluxun, one inebriated official urinated in the royal court. The manager of the court reported it to Zhang and planned to follow the rules to punish the official concerned. But Zhang said: "How do you know that wasn't just a drink he spilled?"
 
Although Zhang's position was high and powerful, he was renowned for his prudence and meticulousness. He had no omissions. He was courteous and humble all his life. Historians praised him as "full without spill." The emperor trusted and respected him. After he passed away, he was given an official seal, a carriage, and armed guards. The title "Esteemed Marquis" was conferred upon him. His sons and grandsons inherited his modest and contented qualities, and were entrusted with important responsibilities by the royal court as well.
 

满而不溢　谦恭忠厚
 
张安世，字子孺，是西汉时的大臣，尽心尽职，为人谦恭忠厚。
 
张安世年轻时曾担任郎官，后来因为为人忠厚而受到大将军霍光重用，任车骑将军，忠信谨慎，勤劳政事，日夜不怠。霍光去世后，朝中大臣上疏举荐张安世为光禄勋，皇上也想重用他们父子。
 
张安世可能深知「知足不辱，知止不殆，可以长久」的道理，知道如果放纵贪婪的欲望不知满足，早晚会招来羞辱和灾祸。所以当他听说皇上还要对他加官进爵时，惧不敢当，去求见皇帝，摘冠叩头，说自己不足以担任这么重要的官位，希望皇上保全他的性命。皇上笑着说：「你太过谦了，你要是不行，还有谁行呢？」张安世仍旧坚辞不受，皇上没有答应。数天后，任他为大司马车骑将军，兼领尚书事，后来又改为卫将军。
 
张安世总是身穿黑绨，夫人亲自纺织。他看到自己同儿子都尊贵显耀，心怀不安，曾特地替儿子请求外出补官。
 
张安世曾经向朝廷举荐官员，那人后来向他道谢，张安世很后悔，认为举贤荐能，岂有私谢之理？从此便与此人断绝了来往。
 
有一郎官来找张安世，说他自己功高却没有升职，张安世说：「你功劳高了，圣明君主必然会知道。作为臣子任职，怎么能自己宣说自己的长短呢？」从而拒绝提升他。过了不久，这个郎官却又得到了升迁。张安世就是这样匿名迹远权势，公私分明，不喜欢让人知道他的恩惠。
 
他的忠厚还体现在他善于隐人过失。在任光禄勋时，有位郎官因为喝醉酒在殿堂上小便，主事将这件事禀报了张安世，想要按法处罚，张安世却说：「怎么知道那不是反水浆呢？」
 
张安世虽位高权重，但却以谨慎周密而著称，内外无漏洞，自始至终谦恭不骄，史书称赞他「满而不溢」。皇帝非常信任和敬重他，去世后赠印绶，送轻车甲士，谥号「敬侯」。他的子孙继承了他谦恭、知足的美德，也受到朝廷重用。