一九、美名不獨享 責任不推脫

19. When winning a good name, do not reap it all alone and when at fault, do not shift responsibility onto others.

完名美節，不宜獨任，分些與人，可以遠害①全身；辱行汙名，不宜全推，引些歸己，可以韜光②養德。

【注 釋】

① 遠害：遠離禍害。

② 韜光：斂藏光彩。此處可理解為自我收斂或自我約束。

【今文解譯】

完美的名聲和高尚的節操，不可自己一人獨占；分些給別人，可以遠離禍害，自保無虞。

遇到令人不恥的事情，名聲遭人詬病，不可將責任全推給別人；主動承擔點，有助於自律和提高自己的修為。

【English Translation】

When a person has won a good name for his moral integrity, it is better for him not to reap it all alone, but to mete out some of it to others, so as to keep possible harm at a distance.

When a person falls accidentally into a thing shameful in deed or fame, it is better for him not to shirk all duty onto others, but to undertake some of it, so as to discipline himself and nourish his own virtue.