五○、當方則方 當圓則圓

50. Be upright whenever needed and slick, when it is necessary.

處治世宜方，處亂世宜圓，處叔季之世①當方圓並用；待善人宜寬，待惡人宜嚴，待庸眾之人②當寬嚴互存。

【注 釋】

① 叔季之世：喻國家衰亂將亡的時代。

② 庸眾之人：才智平庸無奇的人。

【今文解譯】

處在治世，為人要剛正；處在亂世，為人要圓通；處在由盛轉衰的時代，要剛正圓通並濟。

對待善良的人要寬容；對待凶惡的人要嚴厲；對待才智平庸無奇的人則既要寬容又要嚴厲。

【English Translation】

In times of peace and order, one should be upright; at turbulent days, one should be slick; and in declining times, one needs to be both upright and slick.

In dealing with good people, one should be generous; in dealing with bad people, one should be severe; and in dealing with mediocre people, one needs to be both generous and severe.