树德莫如滋,去疾莫如尽。

shù dé mò rú zī, qù jí mò rú jìn.

今日拾句2026年9月14日/《左传·哀公元年》/左丘明(传统认定)

释义Explanation

“树德莫如滋,去疾莫如尽”出自《左传·哀公元年》,是伍子胥劝谏吴王夫差时引用的古语。意思是:树立德行,最好的方法就是让它不断滋长;去除疾病,最好的方法就是将它彻底铲除。这句话用“滋”与“尽”形成鲜明对比,强调善的积累要持之以恒,恶的清除要果断彻底。在个人修养上,它提醒我们好品行需长期培育;在处理问题上,它告诫我们面对祸患不能姑息,必须连根拔起、不留后患。

This line is a counsel quoted by Wu Zixu to warn King Fuchai of Wu. It means: for cultivating virtue, the best approach is to let it grow and flourish continuously; for eliminating disease, the best approach is to eradicate it completely. The contrast between '滋' (nourish) and '尽' (exhaust) emphasizes that good must be accumulated persistently while evil must be rooted out resolutely. In personal growth, it reminds us that virtues require long-term nurturing, and bad habits need thorough elimination. In governance or management, it warns against partial measures when facing serious problems. The saying remains a powerful call for both steady self-improvement and decisive problem-solving.

使用场景Usage

现代企业管理中,若发现系统性风险或不良苗头,应及时彻底整改,而非表面修补;个人培养读书、运动等好习惯要日积月累,而戒除拖延、吸烟等坏习惯则需下定决心一次根除。在反腐败、安全生产等领域,“去疾莫如尽”更具现实意义,警示我们不可因短期利益而容忍隐患,否则遗患无穷。这句话是务实而深刻的行动指南。

In modern management, when systemic risks or negative tendencies are detected, one should address them thoroughly rather than applying superficial fixes. In personal life, cultivating habits like reading or exercise requires daily persistence, while breaking bad habits like procrastination demands a decisive, complete break. This principle also applies to anti-corruption and workplace safety: tolerating hidden dangers for short-term gain will only lead to bigger disasters. The message is clear—nurture what is good without ceasing, and remove what is harmful without leaving any trace.