One of the best-known stories of honesty in Chinese history, recorded in the Records of the Grand Historian. It describes a person who keeps a promise even after the other side has died.
「季札掛劍」是中國歷史上著名的誠信故事，出自《史記．吳太伯世家》，用來形容一個人重視承諾、信守諾言，即使對方已不在人世，仍然履行心中的約定。
In the Spring and Autumn period, Prince Jizha of Wu travelled as an envoy to the state of Lu and passed through the state of Xu. The ruler of Xu admired the fine sword at Jizha's side. He did not ask for it, but Jizha sensed his wish and quietly decided: “When my mission is done, I will give him this sword.”
春秋時代，吳國公子季札出使魯國，途中經過徐國。徐國國君看見季札佩戴的寶劍，非常喜愛，雖然沒有開口索取，但季札已經察覺他的心意，心中暗自決定：「等我出使回來，就把這把寶劍送給他。」
On his way back he passed through Xu again, and learned that the ruler had died. Jizha went to the grave all the same, took off the sword and hung it on a tree beside the tomb, keeping the promise he had made in his heart.
後來，季札完成出使任務，返回途中再次經過徐國，卻得知徐國國君已經去世。季札仍然前往徐國國君的墓前，將寶劍解下，掛在墓旁的樹上，以實踐自己當初的心願。
His attendant asked, “The ruler of Xu is dead. Why give him the sword?” Jizha answered:
隨從不解地問：「徐國國君已經去世了，您為什麼還要送他寶劍？」季札回答：
What moves us is not how precious the sword was, but how firmly Jizha held to his promise.
「季札掛劍」最令人感動的地方，不是寶劍有多珍貴，而是季札對承諾的堅持。
Real integrity is not keeping an agreement only while someone is watching. It is being willing to keep it even when the other person will never know, or is no longer here.
真正的誠信，不是有人監督時才遵守約定，而是即使對方不知道、甚至已經不在人世，仍然願意實踐自己的承諾。
A person may lack fine words, but never the character to keep a promise; true integrity is staying faithful to the promise made in one's own heart.
人可以沒有華麗的言語，但不能沒有信守承諾的品格；真正的誠信，是對自己內心承諾的堅持。
A classic story for character education, life education and civic education in senior high school.
這也是很適合用在高中品格教育、生命教育及公民教育中的經典故事。