“孝”在中国古代是很重要的道德观念。“孝”是个象形字：儿子（下面的“子”）背著老人，寓意孩子侍奉老人为“孝”。下文的故事展示了在中国传统文化中，儿子对父母的孝顺能达到什么境界。

汉朝时代，有个人叫赵咨，官做到敦煌地区的太守（太守：又叫刺史，原为巡察官名，东汉以后，成为州郡最高军政长官），后来因为有病，就辞官还乡了。回家来，他亲自带领子孙们耕田种地，奉养母亲。

有一个夜晚，一伙盗贼，到他家来打劫。赵咨惟恐母亲受了惊吓，于是自己先主动到了门口，去迎接这伙强盗。又叫家人做了一桌好菜饭给强盗吃。席间，赵咨对他们作著揖说：“各位！我有个年老的母亲，已八十多岁了，又生著病，请求你们一会儿拿东西时，留下一点点口粮和衣服，够我供养母亲就好了。至于我们其他人的物件，则不敢要求你们留下，请看在我无力养母的分上，答应我的请求！”

强盗们听了赵咨这番话，心里都感服赵咨的孝心和心宽气朗的高节，顿时生发了惭愧之心，后来竟然齐齐跪下来，辞谢赵咨说：“我们太不像话了！竟然冒犯到您的府上，侵扰了像大人您这样的贤人君子！”说完，便飞也似的跑走了。

赵咨赶忙追上去，想把一些钱物送给盗贼们，但已追赶不上了。

人同此心，心同此理，动心动情，感己感人，以心交心，以情换情，则天下原来行恶之人，也有可能转为善的。这伙强盗，便是受到赵咨的孝心所感化，而弃恶愧惭速去！

A Band of Thieves Was Moved by Filial Piety

Filial piety is one of the most important aspects of the lives of the ancient Chinese. The traditional Chinese character xiao ” 孝 ”  is a combination of the character for an elder person being carried by the son (Zi) becoming 孝 and illustrates the concept of the younger ones helping their elders. The following story illustrates just what lengths a filial son would go to in traditional Chinese culture to show respect and consideration for his aged parents.

Zhao Xi was a feudal provincial governor of the Dunhuang area in the Han Dynasty. Eventually, he resigned and returned to his hometown because of his ill health. After arriving home, he encouraged his children to engage in farming and show good conduct toward his elderly mother.

One night, a band of robbers came to his house. Zhao was worried that his mother would be frightened, so he took the initiative to go the door to meet the robbers. Also, he prepared a table of dishes to entertain the robbers.

During the meal, Zhao said to them: “I have an elderly mother who is over 80 years old and not in good health. When you take things from us later, please leave a little food and a few clothes for my mother. As for the belongings of the rest of us,  you can take whatever you like, but for my mother, please do leave something for her. She raised me through hardships, so I have to try my best to make her life as comfortable as I can. I don’t need many things for myself. Will you please accept my humble request.”

After listening to Zhao’s request, the robbers were deeply moved by his filial piety and noble character. They felt ashamed, thanked Zhao, and said: “It’s a shame for us to come to your house and take away things from an old lady. We have never seen such an official who treats his mother with such a devoted heart. You are a good person with high respect for your mother. We can’t rob anything from you. We will not do anything in this village.”

The robbers left without having anything to eat. Zhao followed the robbers, hoping to give them some money instead as they had not robbed him, but he could not catch up with them.

https://www.visiontimes.com/2020/06/06/a-band-of-thieves-was-moved-by-filial-piety.html