晋平公令人制作了一张琴。
Ping Gong of Jin ordered someone to make a stringed musical instrument.
琴上的弦，粗细一个样，大弦、小弦没有区别。
The strings of the instrument were of the same size, with no difference between the small strings and the large string.
琴制作好以后，晋平公让乐官师旷来调音。
After the instrument was made. Ping Gong of Jin asked Shi Kuang, an official in charge of music, to tune the instrument.
师旷调了一整天，也没调出个曲调来。
Shi Kuang spent a whole day doing it, but failed to tune out a melody.
晋平公责怪师旷不会凋琴。师旷解释说:
Ping Gong blamed Shi Kuang for his incompetence. Shi Kuang explained:
“一张琴，大弦就好比国君，小弦就好比臣子。
“The large string of a musical instrument is like the king of a state, and the small strings are like his subordinates.
大弦小弦各有各的功能，
The large string and the small strings have their own functions.
它们彼此配合，才能合成音律。大弦小弦有条不紊，才能奏出和谐悦耳的音乐。
Only by coordinating with one another can they compose temperament, and only by being orderly can they play harmonious and pleasant music.
您现在把琴弦做成大小不分，破坏了它们应有的系统性与规律性。
Now there is no difference in size between the large string and the small strings.This ruins the system and regularity which they should have.
这样的琴，您让我怎么调呀!”
How can I tune an instrument like this?”