中國傳統文化 第30期:毛遂自薦

Mao Sui Recommending Himself

毛遂自薦

Historical Record Volume 76 Prince Ping Yuan Biographies：

《史記》卷七十六《平原君虞卿列傳》記載：

Qin’s troops laid siege to Handan, the capital of the State of Zhao.

春秋時，秦軍在長平一線，大勝趙軍。秦軍主將白起，領兵乘勝追擊，包圍了趙國都城邯鄲。

Therefore, Prince Ping Yuan was to be sent on a mission to the State of Chu to form an alliance against Qin.

大敵當前，趙國形勢萬分危急。平原君奉趙王之命，去楚國求兵解圍。

Among the guests fed by Ping Yuan was a man called Mao Sui who went up to his host and recommended himself as a member of the Prince’s suite.

平原君把門客召集起來，想挑選20個文武全才一起去。他挑了又挑，選了又選，最後還缺一個人。這時，門客毛遂自我推薦，說:“我算一個吧！”

The negotiations between the Prince and the King of Chu proceeded without substantial results.

到了楚國，楚王只接見平原君一個人。兩人坐在殿上，從早晨談到中午，還沒有結果。

Seeing this, Mao Sui mounted bravely the platform where the negotiations were being held and stated the advantages and disadvantages.

毛遂大步跨上臺階，把出兵援趙有利楚國的道理，作了非常精闢的分析。

The King of Chu was at last convinced and decided to dispatch his troops for saving the State of Zhao.

毛遂的一番話，說得楚王心悅誠服，答應馬上出兵。

Now, this allusion is used to refer to those who volunteer to offer one’s services for a task or a job.

成語“毛遂自薦”由此而來， 比喻不經別人介紹，自我推薦擔任某一項工作。