7grizzly昨天說起一個俚語 “The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak”。翻譯成中文，按當前流行說法就是“理想很豐滿，現實太骨感”。其實對應的還有一個漢語成語是”力不從心”。
這個成語出自大約兩千年前，在中國還在被稱為漢朝，我們開始被稱為漢人的時候。準確的說是東漢時期。當時名臣班超固守邊疆多年，年老的時候想要回歸故裏。於是就給皇上寫了一份信，希望皇上看在自己征戰多年的份上，批準他回鄉的請求。但結果石沉大海，沒任何回信。
這時班超的妹妹班昭出場了，這位班昭可不得了，是當時赫赫有名的大才女，中國第一位女曆史學家。班昭見皇上沒給哥哥回信，於是就又寫了一封信。這信寫得情真意切，說班超征戰30多年，年過花甲，年老多病，已經耳不聰，眼不明。雖然很想繼續努力為國效力，但如果敵人來犯，雖然他有心，但也已經沒力氣再去為國效力，抵擋外敵了（原文“超之氣力，不能從心”）。這樣一來隻會給國家造成損失。所以懇請皇上同意讓哥哥回鄉。
皇上看過班昭的信後，很受感動，終於批準了班超回鄉的請求。
這個故事說明什麽呢？說明了，有一個好妹妹的重要性。
Yesterday 7grizzly mentioned the idiom "The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak", which can be translated into Chinese "理想很豐滿，現實太骨感" as the current popular term. There is also a corresponding Chinese idiom: "力不從心".
This idiom dates back to about two thousand years ago, when China was called Eastern Han Dynasty and we are called Han people in the first time. A famous minister named Ban Chao had diligently served on the frontier for many years. In his old age, he desired to return to his hometown, so he wrote a letter to the emperor, requesting to retire. Unfortunately, his plea went unanswered.
Ban Chao's sister, Ban Zhao, a highly talented, renowned and first female historian, knew this situation, then she wrote another letter to the emperor. In her heartfelt message, Ban Zhao explained that Ban Chao had been on military duty for over 30 years, and he was aging and suffered from various illnesses. Despite his strong desire to continue serving the country, he lacked the physical strength to withstand external threats. Let him stay on the frontier would only result in losses for the nation. Therefore, she earnestly requested the emperor's approval for her brother to retire.
Upon reading Ban Zhao's letter, the emperor was deeply moved and ultimately granted Ban Chao's request to return home.
What can we learn from this story? It’s very important to have a talented and loving sister！
