February 2023

I Wash My Tablecloth in a Neighboring Stream~ 寒山·《庄子说送终》 with English Translations

诗词大意:庄子临死前吩咐弟子们如何为他送葬,在庄子看来天可以做他的棺,地可以做他的槨,万物都是他的陪葬,不需要再为他厚葬。人总有回归天地的时候,只需要一张竹席包裹尸体就够了。人死之后都将苍蝇环绕,也用不着劳烦前来吊丧。人活一辈子如果能像伯夷叔齐那样,隐居于首阳山,采薇而食,饿而死,有节气的活着,就算饿死也是快乐的。 寒山·《庄子说送终》 庄子说送终,天地为棺椁。 吾归此有时,唯须一番箔。 死将喂青蝇,吊不劳白鹤。 饿著首阳山,生廉死亦乐。 I Wash My Tablecloth in a Neighboring Stream Disclaiming wishes for a gala funeral, Chuangtzu said, “I have heaven and earth for coffins.” For mine, coming when it must, and will, I’m less ambitious: a shroud will do. Why annoy the feeding flies with more than that? Too late, […]

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张潮-《幽梦影》 with English Translations

《幽梦影》是2008年中华书局出版的图书,作者是张潮,中国随笔体格言小品文集。主要着眼于以优雅的心胸、眼光去发现美的事物,可以说是求美的著作。书中没有强烈的、尖锐的批评,只有不失风度的冷嘲热讽。而这些不平、讽刺,其表现形式也都是温和的。 张潮-《幽梦影》节选 凡事不宜刻,若读书则不可不刻;凡事不宜贪,若买书则不可不贪;凡事不宜痴,若行善则不可不痴。 A man must not be fastidious about other things, but he must be about reading. He must not be greedy, except in buying books. He should not be a confirmed addict, except in the habit of doing good and helping others.

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Sikong Tu: Energy-Absolute ~ 司空图·《二十四诗品·雄浑》 with English Translations

《二十四诗品》是唐代司空图(一说李嗣真)编著的一部古代诗歌美学和诗歌理论专著,本身也是批评的文学作品——一组美丽的写景四言诗,用种种形象来比拟、烘托不同的诗格风格,颇得神貌,并在诗歌批评中建立了一种特殊的体裁。 司空图·《二十四诗品·雄浑》 大用外腓,真体内充。 反虚入浑,积健为雄。 具备万物,横绝太空。 荒荒油云,寥寥长风。 超以象外,得其环中。 持之非强,来之无穷。 Energy-Absolute Expenditure of force leads to outward decay, Spiritual existence means inward fullness. Let us revert to Nothing and enter the Absolute, Hoarding up strength for Energy, Freighted with eternal principles, Athwart the mighty void, Where cloud-masses darken, And the wind blows ceaseless around, Beyond the range

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Liu Jun: Since You Left ~ 刘骏·《自君之出矣》 with English Translations

《自君之出矣》系作者仿徐干《室思》第三章有关闺妇相思数句而作的抒情小诗。徐诗云“自君之出矣,明镜暗不治。思君如流水,何时有已时。”本诗在构思立意、设喻抒情两方面均追步徐诗。 刘骏·《自君之出矣》 自君之出矣,金翠暗无精。 思君如日月,回还昼夜生。 Since You Left Liu Jun Since you left hone on business long, long ago, My gold and emerald pins have lost their glow. But like the sun and moon, my thought of you Continues day and night, forever new.

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Fan Yun: On Departure ~ 范云·《别诗》 with English Translations

范云(451~503年),字彦龙,南乡舞阴(今河南泌阳县西北)人,南朝文学家。此诗用分别时雪花飞舞的凄凉和重逢时百花盛开的温暖做对照,抒发重逢的快乐。 范云·《别诗》 洛阳城东西,长作经时别。 昔去雪如花,今来花似雪。 On Departure Fan Yun Outside Luoyang toward the east and west, The people say good-bye and start to go. When I left here, the snow was like the blooms: When I come back, the blooms are like the snow. (汪榕培 译) Farewell to Shen Yueh Fan Yun Heading East or West,

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Zhang Xu: Tarry, My Dear Guest ~ 张旭·《山中留客》 with English Translations

这首诗的字面意思便是上边所说,其实可以有另一种理解。世界如此美好,天地万物都展现着美好的姿态。但是不要因为一点挫折便觉得受挫,丧失信心。你看,就算是万事如常,也会有看不见的矛盾会使你受伤。山中留客,不是在山中留,而是在人生中留;客,不是作者的朋友,而是在人生中遭受挫折的朋友们。 张旭·《山中留客》 山光物态弄春晖,莫为轻阴便拟归。 纵使晴明无雨色,入云深处亦沾衣。 Tarry, My Dear Guest Zhang Xu Spring hues of the mountain vary with spring sunshine, Don’t go back home when somber is the sky: Even on a clear bright day without drizzling, Standing in the cloud will make your garment soaking.

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Book of Poetry – Choo lin/ In Zhu-lin / Chu lin ~ 《诗经》·《陈风》·《株林》 with English Translations

《陈风·株林》是中国古代现实主义诗集《诗经》中的一首诗。此诗揭露讽刺了陈灵公君臣与夏姬淫乱的丑恶行径。全诗二章,每章四句。全诗运用委婉含蓄、冷峻幽默的独特方式,讽刺笔墨极为犀利。 《诗经》·《陈风》·《株林》 胡为乎株林?从夏南。 匪适株林,从夏南。 驾我乘马,说于株野。 乘我乘驹,朝食于株。 Choo lin What does he in Choo-lin? He is going after Hёa Nan. He is not going to Choo-lin; He is going after Hёa Nan. ‘Yoke for me my team of horses; I will rest in the country about Choo. I will drive my team of colts, And breakfast

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Ancient Chinese Fables for Kids- Ding Lan Waited Upon the Statuettes of His Deceased Parents

《二十四孝》全名《全相二十四孝诗选集》郭居业撰。《二十四孝》之后,相继又出现《日记故事大全二十四孝》、《女二十四孝》、《男女二十四孝》等劝孝书籍。杨伯峻在《经书浅谈》考证说:“元代郭守正将24位古人孝道的事辑录成书,由王克孝绘成《二十四孝图》流传世间;清末,张之洞等人将之扩编至《百孝图说》。应园先生邀请为其86岁父亲庆寿,陈少梅完全依照元代王克孝《二十四孝图》内容绘制了《二十四孝图》卷,与之相比,徐操创作的《二十四孝史》则更具个性化。” 《二十四孝·丁兰刻木事亲》 汉丁兰,幼丧父母,未得奉养,而思念劬劳之恩,刻木为像,事之如生。其妻久而不敬,以针戏刺其指,血出。木像见兰,眼中垂泪。兰问得其情,遂将妻弃之。 诗曰: 刻木为父母,形容在日时。 寄言诸子侄,各要孝亲闱。 Ding Lan Waited Upon the Statuettes of His Deceased Parents Ding Lan of the Han Dynasty, found no opportunity to wait upon his parents, who died when he was young. As he thought of his parents and their hard work in breeding him, he had their pictures carved in

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Ancient Chinese Fables for Kids- The Use of Parables

《说苑》是汉代刘向所著的小说集,又名《新苑》。原二十卷,后仅存五卷,大部分已经散佚,后经宋曾巩搜辑,复为二十卷,每卷各有标目。 《古代寓言·比喻》 客谓梁王曰:“惠子之言事也,善譬,王使无譬,则不能言矣。”王曰:“诺。”明日见,谓惠子曰:“愿先生言事则直言耳,无譬也!”惠子曰:“今有人于此而不知弹者,曰:‘弹之状若何?’应曰:‘弹之状为弹。’则喻乎?”王曰:“未谕也。”“子是更应曰:‘弹之状为弓,而以竹为弦。’则知乎?”王曰:“可知矣。”惠子曰:“去说者固以其所知谕其所不知而使人知之,公子曰‘无譬’,则不可矣。”王曰:“美善。” ——《说苑》 The Use of Parables “Hui Zi is forever using parables,” complained someone to the Prince of Liang. “If you, sire, forbid him to speak in parables, he won’t be able to make his meaning clear.” The prince agreed with this man. The next day the prince saw Hui Zi. “From now

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Ancient Chinese Fables for Kids- A Parable on Study

《说苑》是汉代刘向所著的小说集,又名《新苑》。原二十卷,后仅存五卷,大部分已经散佚,后经宋曾巩搜辑,复为二十卷,每卷各有标目。 《古代寓言·好学的三个比喻》 晋平公问于师旷曰: “吾年七十,欲学,恐已暮矣。” 师旷曰:“何不炳烛乎?” 平公曰:“安有为人臣而戏其君乎?” 师旷曰:“盲臣安敢戏(其)君(乎),臣闻之:少而好学,如日出之阳;壮而好学,如日中之光;老而好学,如炳烛之明:炳烛之明,孰与昧行乎?” 平公曰:“善哉!” ——《说苑》 A Parable on Study “I am seventy already,” said Duke Ping of Jin to his blind musician Shi Kuang. “Though I want very much to study and read some books, I feel it is too late.” “But why not light the candle?” suggested Shi Kuang. “How

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