負荊請罪
負荊請罪
戰國時期，廉頗是趙國有名的良將，他戰功赫赫，被拜為上卿，藺相如“完璧歸”有功，被封為上大夫不久，又在澠池秦王與趙王相會的時候，維護了趙王的尊嚴，因此也被提升為上卿，且位在廉頗之上。廉頗對此不服，揚言說：“我要是見了他，一定要羞辱他一番.” 藺相如知道后，就有意不與廉頗會面。別人以為藺相如害怕廉頗，廉頗為此很得意。可是商相如卻說：“我哪里會怕廉將軍？不過，現在秦國倒是有點怕我們趙國，這主要是因為有廉將軍和我兩個人在。如果我跟他互相攻擊，那只能對秦國有益。我之所以避開廉將軍，是以國事為重，把私人的恩怨丟一邊兒了！” 這話傳到了廉頗耳朵里，廉頗十分感動，便光著上身，背負荊杖，來到藺相如家請罪。他羞愧地對商相如說：“我真是一個糊涂人，想不到你能這樣地寬宏大量！”兩個人終于結成誓同生死的朋友。
這個故事也稱之為“將相和”。后人利用這個故事，對主動向認錯、道歉，自情嚴厲責罰的人，就稱其為“負荊情罪”。
to bring a birch and ask for a flogging; to offer a humble apology
In the Warring States Period (zhàn guó 戰國, 475-221 BC), Lian Po and Lin Xiangru were both officials of the State of Zhao. Having rendered outstanding service, Lin Xiangru was promoted above Lian Po. Disgrunted, Lian Po announced that he intended to humiliated Lin the next time he met him. Lin Xiangru, putting the benefit of the country first, avoided Lian Po in order not to cause conflict, thus bringing opprobrium on himself. Later when Lian Po realised his mistake, he was so ashamed that he went to Lin’s home carrying brambles on his naked back and asking for punishment.
This idiom indicates acknowledging one’s mistake and offering a sincere apology.
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