Chinese Poems

兰亭集序 王羲之 永和九年，岁在癸丑，暮春之初，会于会稽山阴之兰亭，修禊事也。群贤毕至，少长咸集。此地有崇山峻岭，茂林修竹，又有清流激湍，映带左右。引以为流觞曲水，列坐其次。虽无丝竹管弦之盛，一觞一咏，亦足以畅叙幽情。是日也，天朗气清，惠风和畅。仰观宇宙之大，俯察品类之盛，所以游目骋怀，足以极视听之娱，信可乐也。 夫人之相与，俯仰一世。或取诸怀抱，晤言一室之内；或因寄所托，放浪形骸之外。虽趣舍万殊，静躁不同，当其欣于所遇，暂得于己，快然自足，曾不知老之将至。及其所之既倦，情随事迁，感慨系之矣。向之所欣，俯仰之间，已为陈迹，犹不能不以之兴怀。况修短随化，终期于尽。古人云，“死生亦大矣。”岂不痛哉！ 每览昔人兴感之由，若合一契，未尝不临文嗟悼，不能喻之于怀。固知一死生为虚诞，齐彭殇为妄作。后之视今，亦犹今之视昔。悲夫！故列叙时人，录其所述。虽世殊事异，所以兴怀，其致一也。后之览者，亦将有感于斯文。 Prologue to the Collection of Poems Composed at the Orchid Pavilion Wang Xizhi At the beginning of the late spring in the ninth year of Yonghe1, that is, the year of Guichou according to the lunar calendar, a group of learned scholars, old and young, are gathered at the Orchid Pavilion in the Shanyin County of Kuaiji Prefecture2 to celebrate the festival of Xi3. Here are high mountains and lofty ridges which are overgrown with tall bamboo groves and dense forests. A clear stream with a rapidly running current that winds like a belt, shining in the bright sun, is ideal for floating wine vessels4. We sit by the water in proper order, sipping wine and composing poems. Though lacking musical accompaniment, each of us is inclined to pour forth his innermost feelings. It is a fine day. The sky is clear and the breeze is gentle. Looking upward, we see the great expanse of the universe. Looking downward, we see the great variety of living things. Then we look around as far as the eyes can see and feel elated, enjoying ourselves to the utmost both visually and aurally. What a delightful experience it is!…...

乞食 陶渊明 饥来驱我去，不知竟何之。 行行至斯里，叩门拙言辞。 主人解余意，遗赠岂虚来。 谈谐终日夕，觞至辄倾杯。 情欣新知欢，言咏遂赋诗。 感子漂母意，愧我非韩才。 衔戢知何谢，冥报以相贻。 Begging for Food Tao Yuanming When Hunger came to drive me far away, I did not know to wander to what side; I walked alone until I reached this house. Knocked at the door and found my tongue was tied. My good host understood what was my wish. And fed me that I might not come in vain. We talked and joked until the evening time, And when my cup was filled I would it drain. I am delighted with my new found friend, And thus in speaking have these verses framed. So grateful for your hospitality, I for my lack of talents am ashamed. With grateful heart my thanks I cannot say, But after death I may the gift repay. （杨宪益、戴乃迭 译） Begging for Food Tao Yuanming Driven by hunger I seek for food and drink, Not knowing where to go however hard I think. I walk and walk till I come to a door; I tap the door but stammer, plead, implore. The host know why I come and what I need, And gives me lots of solid food indeed. Until sunset I chatter with the host And quaff the…...

文赋·寄兴 陆机 伊兹事之可乐，固圣贤之所钦。课虚无以责有，叩寂寞而求音。函绵邈於尺素，吐滂沛乎寸心。言恢之而弥广，思按之而逾深。播芳蕤之馥馥，发青条之森森。粲风飞而猋竖，郁云起乎翰林。 The Satisfaction The pleasure a writer knows is the pleasure of sages. Out of non-being, being is born; out of silence, a writer produces a song. In one yard of silk, there is infinite space; language is a deluge from one small corner of the heart. The net of images is cast wider and wider; thought searches more and more deeply. The writer offers the fragrance of fresh flowers, an abundance of sprouting buds. Bright winds lift each metaphor; clouds lift from a forest of writing brushes. （Sam Hamill 译）...

绿珠·《懊侬歌·其二》 江陵去扬州，三千三百里。 已行一千三，还有二千在。 Song of Worries II The journey from Jiangling to Yangzhou Covers three thousand and three hundred li. The first one thousand and three hundred is slow And there are still two thousand li to go. （汪榕培 译）...

Tao Yuanming Return to Live in Gardens and Fields: Five Poems: No. 2 (2) 野 外 罕 人 事穷 巷 寡 轮 鞅。白 日 掩 荆 扉虚 室 绝 尘 想。 时 复 墟 曲 中披 草 共 来 往。相 见 无 杂 言但 道 桑 麻 长。 桑 麻 日 已 长我 土 日 已 广。常 恐 霜 霰 至零 落 同 草 莽。 (2) Ye wai han ren shiQiong xiang gua lun yang.                                                                                                        Bai ri yan jing feiXu shi jue chen xiang. Shi fu xu li renPi cao gong lai wang.                                                                                                                Xiang…...

Tao Yuanming Tao Yuanming: Body, Shadow, Spirit 形，影，神 (形 赠 影)： 天 地 长 不 没山 川 无 改 时。草 木 得 常 理霜 露 荣 粹 之。谓 人 最 灵 智独 复 不 如 兹。适 见 在 世 中奄 去 靡 归 期。 溪 觉 无 一 人亲 识 岂 相 思。但 馀 平 生 物举 目 情 凄 洏。我 无 腾 化 术必 尔 不 复 疑。愿 君 取 吾 言得 酒 莫 苟 辞。 Xing Ying Shen (Xing Zeng Ying) : Tian di chang bu moShan chuan wu gai shi.Cao mu dei chang liShuang lu rong cui zhi.Wei ren zui ling zhiDu fu bu ru zi.Shi jian zai shi zhongYan qu mi gui ji. Xi jue wu yi renQin shi qi xiang si.Dan yu ping sheng wuJu mu qing qi er.Wo wu teng hua shuBi er bu fu yi.Yuan jun qu wu yanDe jiu mo gou ci. Body Shadow Spirit (Body Sends This As a Gift to Shadow) [Tao Yuanming disagrees with the Buddhist belief of reincarnation, where a soul, or spirit, is reborn into another body over and over again. He believes that when we die, there is nothing afterwards. No salvation, no afterlife.] Body: (body…...

Tao Yuanming Return to Live in Gardens and Fields: Five Poems: No. 5 其 五 怅 恨 独 策 还崎 岖 历 榛 曲。山 涧 清 且 浅遇 以 濯 我 足。 漉 我 新 熟 酒只 鸡 招 近 局。日 人 室 中 暗荆 薪 代 明 烛。欢 来 苦 夕 短已 复 至 天 旭。 Qi Wu Chang hen du ce haiQi qu li zhen qu.Shan jian qing qie qianYu yi zhuo wo zu. Lu wo xin shu jiuZhi ji zhao jin ju.Ri ru shi zhong anJing xin dai ming zhu.Huan lai ku xi duanYi fu zhi wu xu. Return to Live in Gardens and Fields: Five Poems: No. 5 With disappointment and regret, alone and holding a walking stick, return homeRugged and rough, back and forth through the thick undergrowth.Mountain ravine water quiet, also shallowCan wash my hands and feet. Filter my newly processed wineKill one chicken, invite neighbors over for a party.Sun drops behind the mountains, the rooms darkenHave to burn bush branches, instead of candles for illumination.Happiness arrives, yet like the sunset, is painfully briefLater on, the sky will alight with the rising sun. Commentary: Filtering new wine, rice wine, was the freshest, and therefore…...

Tao Yuanming Return to Live in Gardens and Fields: Five Poems: No.4 其四 久 去 山 泽 游浪 莽 林 野 娱。试 携 子 侄 辈披 榛 步 荒 墟。 徘 徊 丘 垄 间依 依 昔 人 居。井 灶 有 遗 外桑 竹 残 朽 株。 借 问 采 薪 者此 人 皆 焉 如 ？薪 者 向 我 言：死 没 无 复 余。 一 世 异 朝 市此 语 真 不 虚！人 生 似 幻 化终 当 归 空 无。 Qi si Jiu qu shan ze youLang mang lin ye yu.Shi xie zi zhi beiPi zhen bu huang xu. Pai huai qiu long jianYi yi xi ren ju.Jing zao you wei waiSang zhu can xiu zhu. Jie wen cai xin zheCi ren jie yan ru ?Xin zhe xiang wo yan:“Si mo wu fu yu.” Yi shi yi zhao shiCi yu zhen bu xu!Ren sheng si huan huaZhong dang gui kong wu. Return to Live in Gardens and Fields: Five Poems: No. 4 For a long time left mountain pools to do government workOld growth forests and wilderness gives me pleasure without having to dress up.Take by the hand, sons and nephews by age-rank orderWalk up and down separate…...

Tao Yuanming My Feelings For Intellectuals With Bad Timing Part Two 感士不遇赋 哀 哉！ 士 之 不 遇已 不 在 炎 帝 帝 魁 之 世。独 祗 修 以 自 勤岂 三 省 之 或 废。 庶 进 德 以 及 时时 既 至 而 不 惠。无 爱 生 之 晤 言念 张 季 之 终 蔽； 愍 冯 臾 于 郎 署赖 魏 守 以 纳 计。虽 仅 然 于 必 知亦 苦 心 而 旷 岁。 审 夫 市 之 无 虎眩 三 夫 之 献 说。悼 贾 傅 之 秀 朗纡 远 辔 于 促 界； 悲 董 相 之 渊 致屡 乘 危 而 幸 济。感 哲 人 之 无 偶泪 淋 浪 以 酒 袂。 承 前 王 之 清 诲曰 天 道 之 无 亲；澄 得 一 以 作 鉴恒 辅 善 而 佑 仁。 夷 投 老 以 长 饥回 早 天 而 又 贫；伤 请 车 以 备 椁悲 茹 薇 而 殒 身。 虽 好 学 与 行 义何 死 生 之 苦 辛！疑 报 德 之 若 兹惧 斯 言 之 虚 陈. 何 旷 世 之 无 才罕 无 路 之 不 涩；伊 古 人 之 慷 慨病 寄…...

Tao Yuanming My Feelings For Intellectuals With Bad Timing Part One 感士不遇赋 咨 大 块 之 爱 气何 斯 人 之 独 灵！禀 神 智 以 藏 照秉 三 五 而 垂 名。 或 击 壤 以 自 欢或 大 济 于 苍 生；靡 潜 跃 之 非 分常 傲 然 以 称 清。 世 流 浪 而 遂 徂物 群 分 以 相 形。密 网 载 而 鱼 骇宏 罗 制 而 鸟 惊。 彼 达 人 之 善 觉乃 逃 禄 而 归 耕。山 嶷 嶷 而 怀 影川 汪 汪 而 藏 声； 望 轩 唐 而 咏 叹甘 贫 贱 以 辞 荣。淳 源 汩 以 长 分美 恶 纷 其 异 途。 原 百 行 之 攸 贵莫 为 善 之 可 娱。奉 上 天 之 成 命师 圣 人 之 遗 书。 发 忠 孝 于 君 亲生 信 义 于 乡 里推 诚 心 而 获 显不 矫 然 而 祈 誉。嗟 乎！ 雷 同 毁 异物 恶 其 上妙 算 者 谓 迷直 道 者 云 妄。 坦 至 公 而 无 猜卒 蒙 耻 以 爱 谤。虽 怀 琼 而 握 兰徒 芳 洁 而 谁 亮？ Gan Shi Bu Yu…...

Tao Yuanming Write Down Some Insights 有会而作 弱 年 逢 家 乏老 至 更 长 饥。菽 麦 实 所 羡孰 敢 慕 甘 肥。 惄 如 亚 九 饭当 署 厌 寒 衣。岁 月 将 欲 署如 何 辛 苦 悲。 常 善 粥 者 心深 念 蒙 袂 非。嗟 来 可 足 吝？徒 没 空 自 遗。 斯 滥 岂 彼 志固 穷 夙 所 归。馁 也 已 矣 夫在 昔 余 多 师。 You Hui Er Zuo Ruo nian feng jia faLao zhi geng chang ji.Shu mai shi suo xianShu gan mu gan fei. Ni ru ya jiu fanDang shu yan han yi.Sui yue jiang yu shuRu he xin ku bei. Chang shan zhou zhe xinShen nian meng mei fei.Jie lai ke zu lin ?Tu mo kong zi wei. Si lan qi bi zhiGu qiong su suo gui.Nei ye yi yi fuZai xi yu duo shi. Write Down Some Insights In the years of my youth, family fortunes started on the declineNow old, even more long periods of hunger.Covet any beans, grains or fruitDoes not have to be of good quality. My face thin, only have the evening mealHave to wear my winter clothes even in the summer.Near…...

Tao Yuanming Praise For Humble Scholars: Seven Poems: No. 3 咏贫士：七首 (3) 荣 臾 老 带 索欣 然 方 弹 琴。原 生 纳 决 履清 歌 畅 商 音。 重 华 去 我 久贫 士 世 相 寻。弊 襟 不 掩 肘藜 羹 常 乏 斟。 岂 忘 袭 轻 裘苟 得 非 所 钦。赐 也 徙 能 辨乃 不 见 吾 心。 Yong Pin Shi: Qi Shou (3) Rong yu lao dai suoXin ran fang tan qin.Yuan sheng na jue luQing ge chang shang yin. Cong hua qu wo jiuPin shi shi xiang xun.Bi jin bu yan zhouLi geng chang fa zhen. Qi wang xi qing qiuGou de fei suo qin.Ci ye xi neng bianNai bu jian wu xin. Praise For Humble Scholars: Seven Poems: No. 3 In the old days, Mr. Rong wore a simple robe and beltWith pleasure he played his qin.Mr. Yuan wore shoes that were brokenHe sang clearly and smooth the old folk songs. The best emperors have departed before me, long time agoImpoverished scholars still seek these people.Clothes so old my elbows are exposedThick lamb’s quarters soup often lacks substance. Do not have to buy a light fur coatYet don’t admire those who obtain…...

Tao Yuanming Praise For Humble Scholars: Seven Poems: No.2 咏贫士：七首 (2) 凄 厉 岁 云 暮拥 褐 曝 前 轩。南 圃 无 遗 秀枯 条 盈 北 园。 倾 壶 绝 馀 沥窥 灶 不 见 烟。诗 书 塞 座 外日 昃 不 遑 研。 闲 居 非 陈 厄窃 有 愠 见 言。何 以 慰 吾 怀？赖 古 多 此 贤。 Yong Pin Shi: Qi Shou (2) Qi li sui yun muYong he pu qian xiu.Nan pu wu yi xiuKu tiao ying bei yuan. Qing hu jue yu liKui zao bu jian yan.Shi shu sai zuo waiRi ze bu huang yan. Xian ju fei chen eQie you yun jian yanHe yi wei wu huai ?Lai gu duo ci xian. Praise For Humble Scholars: Seven Poems: No.2 Clouds at sunset, the times mournful and shrillEmbraced by coarse clothes, sun fading on my front steps.Southern garden without remaining leaves or blossomsNorthern garden filled with withered branches and twigs. Pry open the cooking stove, no kindling remainsAround my chair, surrounded by books and poetry.Sun slanting to the west, not occupied with extensive reading and studyUnoccupied house, hardship put on display. Secretly harbor anger, how can I still be so poorWhat can console…...

Tao Yuanming Praise For Humble Scholars: Seven Poems: No. 1 咏贫士：七首 (1) 万 旌 各 有 托孤 云 独 无 依。暧 暧 空 中 灭何 时 见 馀 晖。 朝 霞 开 宿 雾众 鸟 相 与 飞。迟 迟 出 林 翮未 夕 复 来 归。 量 力 守 故 辙岂 不 寒 与 饥？知 音 苟 不 存已 矣 何 所 悲。 Yong Pin Shi: Qi Shou (1) Wan jing ge you tuoGu yun du wu yi.Ai ai kong zhong mieHe shi jian hui . Zhao xia kai su wuZhong niao xiang yu fei.Chi chi chu lin heWei xi fu lai gui. Liang li shou gu zheQi bu han yu ji ?Zhi yin gou bu cunYi yi he suo bei. Praise For Humble Scholars: Seven Poems: No. 1 (1) Ten thousand kinds of things all have something serving as a supportSingle solitary cloud without compliance.When light gets very dim in the sky, it disappearsWhat time can one see the remaining sunlight. Rosy clouds at dawn, long standing fog breaks upMany birds fly together in different flocks?One bird very slow to leave the forestNot yet sunset, again returns back home. Estimating my own ability, best to remain on roads that…...

Tao Yuanming Praise For Humble Scholars: Seven Poems: No. 3 咏贫士：七首 (3) 荣 臾 老 带 索欣 然 方 弹 琴。原 生 纳 决 履清 歌 畅 商 音。 重 华 去 我 久贫 士 世 相 寻。弊 襟 不 掩 肘藜 羹 常 乏 斟。 岂 忘 袭 轻 裘苟 得 非 所 钦。赐 也 徙 能 辨乃 不 见 吾 心。 Yong Pin Shi: Qi Shou (3) Rong yu lao dai suoXin ran fang tan qin.Yuan sheng na jue luQing ge chang shang yin. Cong hua qu wo jiuPin shi shi xiang xun.Bi jin bu yan zhouLi geng chang fa zhen. Qi wang xi qing qiuGou de fei suo qin.Ci ye xi neng bianNai bu jian wu xin. Praise For Humble Scholars: Seven Poems: No. 3 In the old days, Mr. Rong wore a simple robe and beltWith pleasure he played his qin.Mr. Yuan wore shoes that were brokenHe sang clearly and smooth the old folk songs. The best emperors have departed before me, long time agoImpoverished scholars still seek these people.Clothes so old my elbows are exposedThick lamb’s quarters soup often lacks substance. Do not have to buy a light fur coatYet don’t admire those who obtain…...

Tao Yuanming Praise For Humble Scholars: Seven Poems: No.2 咏贫士：七首 (2) 凄 厉 岁 云 暮拥 褐 曝 前 轩。南 圃 无 遗 秀枯 条 盈 北 园。 倾 壶 绝 馀 沥窥 灶 不 见 烟。诗 书 塞 座 外日 昃 不 遑 研。 闲 居 非 陈 厄窃 有 愠 见 言。何 以 慰 吾 怀？赖 古 多 此 贤。 Yong Pin Shi: Qi Shou (2) Qi li sui yun muYong he pu qian xiu.Nan pu wu yi xiuKu tiao ying bei yuan. Qing hu jue yu liKui zao bu jian yan.Shi shu sai zuo waiRi ze bu huang yan. Xian ju fei chen eQie you yun jian yanHe yi wei wu huai ?Lai gu duo ci xian. Praise For Humble Scholars: Seven Poems: No.2 Clouds at sunset, the times mournful and shrillEmbraced by coarse clothes, sun fading on my front steps.Southern garden without remaining leaves or blossomsNorthern garden filled with withered branches and twigs. Pry open the cooking stove, no kindling remainsAround my chair, surrounded by books and poetry.Sun slanting to the west, not occupied with extensive reading and studyUnoccupied house, hardship put on display. Secretly harbor anger, how can I still be so poorWhat can console…...

Tao Yuanming Drawing Up My Own Elegies: Three Poems: No. 2 拟挽歌辞：三首 (2) 昔 在 无 酒 饮今 但 湛 空 觞。春 醪 生 浮 蚁何 时 更 能 尝？ 肴 案 盈 我 前亲 旧 哭 我 傍。欲 语 口 无 音欲 视 眼 无 光。 昔 在 高 堂 寝今 宿 荒 草 乡。荒 草 无 人 眠极 视 正 茫 茫。一 朝 出 门 去归 来 夜 未 央。 Ni Wan Ge Ci: San Shou Xi zai wu jiu yinJin dan zhan kong shang.Chun lao sheng fu yiHe shi geng neng chang ? Yao an ying wo qianQin jiu ku wo bang.Yu yu kou wu yinYu shi yan wu guang. Xi zai gao tang qinJin su huang cao xiang.Huang cao wu ren mianJi shi zheng mang mang.Yi zhao chu men quGui lai ye wei yang. Drawing Up My Own Elegies: Three Poems: No. 2 In the past, during my life, I was without wine to drinkNow I empty clear cups of wine.Early spring wine, some of the rice still floating on topWhen can I again taste this wine? In front of my casket, a long table filled with foodOld relatives draw near and cry.I want to speak,…...

Tao Yuanming Drawing Up My Own Elegies: Three Poems: No. 1 拟挽歌辞：三首 有 生 必 有 死早 终 非 命 促。昨 暮 同 为 人今 旦 在 鬼 录。 魂 气 散 何 之？枯 形 寄 空 木。娇 儿 索 父 啼良 友 抚 我 哭。 得 失 不 复 知是 非 安 能 觉！千 秋 万 岁 后谁 知 荣 与 辱。但 恨 在 世 时饮 酒 不 得 足。 Ni Wan Ge Ci: San Shou (1) You sheng bi you siZao zhong fei ming cu.Zuo mu tong wei renJin dan zai gui lu. Hun qi san he zhi ?Ku xing ji kong mu.Jiao er suo fu tiLiang you fu wo ku. De shi bu fu zhiShi fei an neng jue !Qian qiu wan sui houShei zhi rong yu ru.Dan hen zai shi shiYin jiu bu de zu. Drawing Up My Own Elegies: Three Poems: No. 1 Those who have a birth, must then dieSome who die young, still can have had a full life.Up to the last day, people exhibit their same behaviorsUpon death, the spirits enter your name into their ledger. Where does this soul, the spirit’s breath, scatter to?Decaying body placed into an empty coffin.Young children…...

Tao Yuanming Praise For Humble Scholars: Seven Poems: No. 7 咏贫士：七首 昔 在 黄 子 廉弹 冠 佐 名 州。一 朝 辞 吏 归清 贫 略 难 俦。 年 饥 感 仁 妻泣 涕 向 我 流。丈 夫 虽 有 志固 为 儿 女 忧。 惠 孙 一 晤 叹腆 赠 竟 莫 酬。谁 云 固 穷 难？邈 哉 此 前 修！ Yong Pin Shi: Qi Shou (7) Xi zai huang zi lianTan guan zuo ming zhou.Yi zhao ci li guiQing pin lue nan chou. Nian ji gan ren qiQi ti xiang wo liu.Zhang fu sui you zhiGu wei er nu you. Hui sun yi wu tanTian zeng jing mo chou.Shei yun gu qiong nan ?Miao zai ci qian xiu ! Praise For Humble Scholars: Seven Poems: No.7 In the past, Huangzi LianDusted off his hat, appointed to a high government position.One morning, he took leave of his officeQuickly became poor, like his companions. Years of famine, his wife concernedHer tears flowed freely.Even though these men have idealsThey make their children anxious for their own welfare. Hui Sun heard of, and then praised himBut offers of many gifts to help were refused.Who says being poor is so difficult?Though he lived…...

Tao Yuanming Praise For Humble Scholars: Seven Poems: No. 6 咏贫士：七首 (6) 仲 蔚 爱 穷 居绕 宅 生 蒿 蓬。翳 然 绝 交 游赋 诗 颇 能 工。 举 世 无 知 者止 有 一 刘 龚。此 士 胡 独 然实 由 罕 所 同。 介 焉 安 其 业所 乐 非 穷 通。人 事 固 以 拙聊 得 长 相 从。 Yong Pin Shi: Qi Shou (6) Zhong wei ai qiong juRao zhai sheng hao peng.Yi ran jue jiao youFu shi po neng gong. Ju shi wu zhi zheZhi you yi liu gong.Ci shi hu du ranShi you han suo tong. Jie yan an qi yeSuo le fei qiong tong.Ren shi gu yi zhuoLiao de chang xiang cong. Praise For Humble Scholars: Seven Poems: No. 6 Zhong Wei cherished his poor houseHis crude dwelling covered with coiled wormwood tangles.Hard to make friends through the leavesHis original poetry revealed literary masterpieces. Although his existence and work were unknownHad only one man recognize him.Why was Zhong Wei so aloneBecause his predictive abilities were so advanced. I too want to be satisfied with my destinyMy happiness not dependent on being rich or poor.Being skillful in human affairs is not my forteBest…...

Tao Yuanming Praise For Humble Scholars: Seven Poems: No. 5 咏贫士：七首 (5) 袁 安 困 积 雪邈 然 不 可 干。阮 公 见 钱 人即 日 弃 其 官。 刍 藁 有 常 温采 莒 足 朝 餐。岂 不 实 辛 苦所 惧 非 饥 寒。 贫 富 常 交 战道 胜 无 戚 颜。至 德 冠 邦 闾清 节 映 西 关。 Yong Pin Shi: Qi Shou (5) Yuan an kun ji xueMiao ran bu ke gan.Ruan gong jian qian renJi ri qi qi guan. Chu gao you chang wenCai ju zu zhao can.Qi bu shi xin kuSuo ju fei ji han. Pin fu chang jiao zhanDao sheng wu qi yan.Zhi de guan bang luQing jie ying xi guan. Praise For Humble Scholars: Seven Poems: No.5 Yuan An suffered hardships in the heavy snowStayed inside his remote house, waited out the storm.Ruan Gong, instead of accepting improper moneyAbandoned his government official job. I keep warm by sleeping with the hayGather alfalfa to help make the morning meal.Isn’t this life difficult and exhaustingMy fear is not hunger and cold (but to work for the government). Inner battle between having money and having peace of mindChoosing to follow the Way, no…...

Tao Yuanming Praise For Humble Scholars: Seven Poems: No. 4 咏贫士：七首 (4) 安 贫 守 贱 者自 古 有 黔 娄。好 爵 吾 不 荣厚 馈 吾 不 酬。 一 旦 寿 命 尽弊 覆 仍 不 周。岂 不 知 其 极非 道 故 无 忧。 从 来 将 千 载未 复 见 斯 俦。朝 与 仁 义 生夕 死 复 何 求？ Yong Pin Shi: Qi Shou (4) An pin shou jian zheZi gu you qian lou.Hao jue wu bu rongHou kui wu bu chou. Yi dan shou ming jinBi fu reng bu zhou.Qi bu zhi qi jiFei dao gu wu you. Cong lai jiang qian zaiWei fu jian si chou.Zhao you ren yi shengXi shi fu he qiu ? Praise For Humble Scholars: Seven Poems: No. 4 Adhere to the humble people who are peacefulI follow the simplicity of the famous Qian Lou.Even with a high government position, he was not able to prosperDid not want to be repaid with valuable gifts. Then one day your life reaches the endIn death, he did not even own one blanket.How can I not be aware of these extremesWith the Dao, don’t worry about anything. From Qian Lou’s time, one thousand…...

Tao Yuanming Biography of the Five Willows Gentleman 五柳先生传 先 生 不 知 何 许 人 也亦 不 详 其 姓 字宅 边 有 五 柳 树因 以 为 号 焉。 闲 静 少 言不 慕 蓉 利。好 读 书 不 求 甚 解每 有 会 意便 欣 然 忘 食。 性 嗜 酒家 贫 不 能 常 得。亲 旧 知 其 如 此或 置 酒 而 招 之。 造 饮 辄 尽期 在 必 醉：既 醉 而 退曾 不 吝 情 去 留。 环 堵 萧 然不 蔽 风 日：短 褐 穿 结箪 瓢 屡 空晏如也。 常 著 文 章 自 误颇 示 己 志。忘 怀 得 失以 此 自 终。 赞 曰： 黔 娄 之 妻 有 言：“不 戚 戚 于 贫 贱不 汲 汲 于 富 贵。极其言 兹 若 人 之 俦 乎？酣 觞 赋 诗一 乐 其 志无 怀 氏 之 民 欤？葛 天 氏 之 民 欤？ Wu Liu Xian Sheng Zhuan Xian sheng bu zhi he xu ren yeYi bu xiang qi xing zi,Zhai bian you wu liu shuYin yi wei hao yan. Xian jing shao yanBu mu rong li.Hao du shu bu qiu shen jieMei you hui yiBian xin ran wang shi. Xing…...

Tao Yuanming In Memory of Myself: Part 3 自祭文 寿 涉 百 龄身 慕 肥 遁从 老 得 终奚 所 复 恋！ 寒 暑 逾 迈亡 既 异 存外 姻 晨 来良 友 宵 奔葬 之 中 野以 安 其 魂。 窅 窅 我 行萧 萧 墓 门奢 耻 宋 臣俭 笑 王 孙 廓 兮 已 灭慨 焉 已 遐不 封 不 树、日 月 遂 过。 匪 贵 前 誉孰 重 后 歌？人 生 实 难死 如 之 何？鸣呼哀哉！ Zi Ji Wen Shou she bai lingShen mu fei dun.Cong lao dei zhongXi suo fu lian! Han shu yu maiWang ji yi cun.Wai yin chen laiLiang you xiao ben.Zang zhi zhong yeYi an qi hun. Yao yao wo xingXiao xiao mu menShe chi song chenJian xiao wang sun Kuo xi yi mieKai yan yi xiaBu feng bu shuRi yue sui guo. Fei gui qian yuShu chong hou ge?Ren shen shi nanSi ru zhi he?Ming hu ai zai! In Memory of Myself: Part 3 If I were given the long life of one hundred yearsI would still yearn for the life of rural seclusionFrom birth to the day I dieThere is nothing else for me to long for! From the cold…...