文质彬彬·每日好词语｜素位而行

　　素位而行

　　依据自身所处的位分或境遇而行事。“素位而行”一说出自《中庸》。人在不同的位分或境遇之中，有特定的职责及需要遵守的行事法则。人们可以通过履行自己的职责而成就天赋的德性。因此，人不应出于某种外在的功利目的，而去羡慕、追求他人的位分或境遇，应安于自己的生活，在自己的位分或境遇之中成就自己。

　　Do What Is Proper for Your Situation

　　People should behave according to their own position and situation. This expression is said to originate in The Doctrine of the Mean. People in different circumstances have different duties to perform and different rules to observe. They can give play to their innate morality by proper performance of their duties. Therefore, people should not be motivated by external gain to pursue the status enjoyed by others; rather, they should be content with their own life and tap their full potential given the situation in which they find themselves.

　　引例

　　君子素其位而行，不愿乎其外。（《礼记·中庸》）（君子依据自身所处的位分或境遇而行事，不羡慕自身位分或境遇之外的生活。）

　　Men of virtue do what is proper to their position and the circumstances they are in, without envying for the life beyond. (The Book of Rites)