Qin and Han · Diviner

Wang Shuo 王朔

Attested BC 121

Passages: 3
Chapters: 1
Histories: 1

Overview

Wang Shuo was a Diviner.

Life and dates

Attested activity

BC 121 後二歲
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 109, passage 108

Works and attributed material

Speech · Speaker · With Li Guang (李廣)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 109, passages 111, 114

References in the histories

Records of the Grand Historian, Chapter 109Biography of General Li · 3 passages

廣嘗與望氣王朔燕語，曰：「自漢擊匈奴而廣未嘗不在其中，而諸部校尉以下，才能不及中人，然以擊胡軍功取侯者數十人，而廣不為後人，然無尺寸之功以得封邑者，何也？ Guang once conversed at leisure with the diviner Wang Shuo and said, "Since the Han began attacking the Xiongnu, I have never failed to be in the field. Yet among the colonels and commanders and those below them, men whose abilities do not reach the middling level have, through merit in fighting the barbarians, become marquises by the dozens. I am not behind others, yet I have not the slightest merit by which to receive a fief—why is this?

朔曰：「將軍自念，豈嘗有所恨乎？」 Shuo said, "General, think back for yourself. Is there anything you have regretted?"

朔曰：「禍莫大於殺已降，此乃將軍所以不得侯者也。」 Shuo said, "There is no greater disaster than killing men who have already surrendered. This is why the general has never become a marquis."