昆仲

昆仲

1. (archaic) elder and younger brothers; brothers

   • 昔者周公旦殺管叔，流霍叔，曰：「犯禁者也。」天下眾皆曰：「親昆仲有過不違，而況疏遠乎？」故天下知用刀鋸於周庭，而海內治。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]
     昔者周公旦杀管叔，流霍叔，曰：「犯禁者也。」天下众皆曰：「亲昆仲有过不违，而况疏远乎？」故天下知用刀锯于周庭，而海内治。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]

     From: The Book of Lord Shang, circa 3^rd century BCE

     Xīzhě Zhōugōng Dàn shā Guǎnshū, liú Huòshū, yuē: “Fànjìn zhě yě.” Tiānxià zhòng jiē yuē: “Qīn kūnzhòng yǒu guò bù wéi, ér kuàng shūyuǎn hū?” Gù tiānxià zhī yòng dāojù yú Zhōu tíng, ér hǎinèi zhì. [Pinyin]

     Formerly Dan, Duke of Zhou, killed his younger brother Guan, and banished his younger brother Huo, saying: “They have transgressed against the interdicts.” The multitudes in the empire all said: “If, when (the ruler's) own brothers commit a fault, he does not deviate [from the law], how will it fare then with those distant and far off?” Thus, all within the seas enjoyed order simply by knowing that sword and saw were also applied to members of the court of Zhou.

   • 某君昆仲，今隱其名，皆余昔日在中學校時良友。 [MSC, trad.]
     某君昆仲，今隐其名，皆余昔日在中学校时良友。 [MSC, simp.]

     From: Lu Xun, A Madman's Diary, translated by Wikisource

     Mǒu jūn kūnzhòng, jīn yǐn qí míng, jiē yú xīrì zài zhōngxuéxiào shí liángyǒu. [Pinyin]

     A certain pair of brothers, whose names I shall conceal for now, were both good friends of mine back during our school days.