Yang Wanli (1127-1206), also known as Tingxiu and Chengzhai, was born in Jishui, Jizhou (now part of Jiangxi Province). In the 24th year of the Shaoxing reign (1154), he passed the imperial examination and was transferred to serve as a military officer in Ganzhou. Later on, he held positions such as Doctor of the Imperial Academy, Attendant Scholar of the Eastern Academy, and Deputy Envoy of the Jiangdong Transport. Posthumously awarded the title of Wenjie. Together with Fan Chengda, Lu You, and You Mao, they are known as the “Four Great Poets of Zhongxing”. His poetry emphasizes the method of living, forming its own “sincere fasting style”. There are “Chengzhai Collection” and “Chengzhai Poetry Talks” that have been passed down.
杨万里（1127—1206），字廷秀，号诚斋，吉州吉水（今属江西省）人。绍兴二十四年（1154）进士，调赣州司户参军。后历官国子博士、东官侍读、江东转运副使等。卒谥文节。与范成大、陆游、尤袤合称为“中兴四大诗人”。其诗讲求活法，自成“诚斋体”。有《诚斋集》、《诚斋诗话》传世。
杨万里·《书莫读》
书诗莫吟。
读书两眼枯见骨，吟诗个字呕出心。
人言读书乐，人言吟诗好，
口吻长作秋虫声，只令君瘦令君老。
君瘦君老且勿论，傍人听之亦烦恼。
何如闭目坐斋房，下帘扫地自焚香。
听风听雨都有味，健来即行倦来睡。
Don’t Read Books
Yang Wan-li
Don’t read books
Don’t chant poems
When you read books your eyeballs wither away
leaving the bare sockets
When you chant poems your heart leaks out slowly
with each word
People say reading books is enjoyable
People say chanting poems is fun
But if your lips constantly make a sound
like an insect chirping in autumn
you will only turn into a haggard old man
And even if you don’t turn into a haggard old man
It’s annoying for others to have to hear you
It’s so much better
to close your eyes, sit in your study
lower the curtains, sweep the floor,
burn incense.
take a walk when you feel energetic,
and when you’re tired go to sleep.
（Jonathan Chaves 译）
