司空图的《二十四诗品》作为中国古代文论史上的一部经典之作,采用四言诗的形式写成,言简义丰。《自然》篇在《二十四诗品》中居于第十篇,它所展示出的”自然”境界,是中国古代文人创作所追求的最高境界,它以老庄哲学为基础,倡导道法自然,反对人工的雕琢和刻意的营造。
Sikong Tu’s “Twenty Four Poems” is a classic work in the history of ancient Chinese literary theory, written in the form of a four character poem, with concise and meaningful words. The “Nature” section ranks tenth among the “Twenty Four Poems”, showcasing the highest level of “nature” pursued by ancient Chinese literati. It is based on the philosophy of Laozi and Zhuangzi, advocating the way of nature and opposing artificial carving and deliberate creation.
司空图·《二十四诗品·自然》
俯拾即是，不取诸邻。
俱道适往，着手成春。
如逢花开，如瞻岁新。
真与不夺，强得易贫。
幽人空山，过雨采苹。
薄言情悟，悠悠天韵。
The Natural
Stoop, and there it is:
Seek it not right and left.
All roads lead thither,–
One touch and you have spring!（1）
As though coming upon opening flowers,
As though gazing upon the new year,
Verily I will not snatch it,
Forced, it will dwindle away.
I will be like the hermit on the hill,
Like duckweed gathered on the stream,（2）
And when emotions crowd upon me,
I will leave them to the harmonies of heaven.
（1）. Alluding to the art of the painter.
（2）. A creature of chance, following the doctrine of Inaction.
（Herbert A. Giles 译）
